@ekologuzenglish · Post #10988 · 12/28/2025, 08:05 AM
The General Congress of the United Mexican States has unanimously approved amendments to the Wildlife Protection Law. The law fully bans the use of marine mammals in captivity—cetaceans such as dolphins and orcas, as well as pinnipeds including sea lions—for commercial or entertainment purposes in both stationary and traveling shows. This followed unanimous approval by both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Mexico’s Senate unanimously endorsed a nationwide ban on dolphin shows and exhibitions involving other marine mammals, marking the culmination of a three-year legislative initiative sparked by public outrage over animal welfare violations. The 99–0 vote amended the Wildlife Protection Law, prohibiting the capture and breeding of marine mammals, with the sole exception of verified scientific research. Resistance from dolphinarium owners—often openly described as “prisons”—had delayed the implementation of a 2022 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Law that banned the use of dolphins, seals, and other marine animals in entertainment shows or interactive activities with tourists. President Claudia Sheinbaum personally prioritized the new legislation during a special session of Congress, calling it essential to preventing cruelty to animals. “We are against all forms of violence, and especially cruelty to animals, which reflects behaviors that can later manifest as violence toward people,” Sheinbaum stated. The newly adopted legislation has been named the “Mincho Law,” in honor of a dolphin that suffered serious injuries during a performance at the Barceló Maya Grand resort in the state of Quintana Roo. What led to the vote to ban dolphin shows This legislative breakthrough—which also bans captive breeding except for reintroduction programs—followed stronger enforcement measures against violators after months of weak implementation following the initial approval by the Chamber of Deputies in 2022 (background details provided in a separate appendix). The law was supported by both members of the ruling coalition and opposition lawmakers. Its main goal is to end forced breeding of marine mammals in captivity and to put a stop to their use in animal shows of all kinds, both stationary and mobile—forms of entertainment that have been highly popular in Mexico. “No marine mammal, regardless of species, may be subjected to extractive exploitation, whether for subsistence or commercial purposes. Capture may only be authorized for recovery, population reinforcement, and reintroduction of these species into their natural habitats,” states the published legislative bulletin. Dr. Claudia Edwards, Programs Director at Humane World for Animals Mexico (formerly Humane Society International Mexico), who supported the drafting of the bill, said: “This vote represents a decisive step toward ending the exploitation of whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals for entertainment purposes and marks an important advance in efforts to protect animals and conserve biodiversity in Mexico. We congratulate all lawmakers for reaffirming Mexico’s commitment to wildlife protection and to promoting ethical coexistence between humans and animals.” The ban took effect immediately, while detailed regulations governing its implementation will be developed and issued within a year. Approximately 350 dolphins are currently held in captivity in Mexico; the new law requires that they be relocated to sea pens. Whales and other cetaceans may only be kept in marine enclosures. The use of concrete structures (pools or tanks) is now strictly prohibited. Housing these mammals is permitted only in open facilities with continuous water exchange. The approved amendment strictly bans the capture of marine mammals in the wild, captive breeding, or their maintenance for any purpose. #dolphin ☘️@eklguz_bot
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