Mexico City approved legal reform that prevents the use of dolphins and other marine mammals in shows and therapies, which adds to a previous ban circus animals that began in Mexico City and was adopted nationwide.
The local Legislative Assembly gave the unanimous green light to an initiative reforming the animal protection law and the law for Public shows in Mexico City for the benefit of dolphins.
The only site in Mexico City that offers shows with dolphins is Six Flags amusement park in the south of the city. ” we have banned the holding of public or private shows, including those of marine mammals, as well as the use of marine mammals with economic purposes for handling, training, entertainment and therapy,” says the text, but it will be allowed to be exhibited in aquariums.
In other parts of Mexico the dolphinariums will continue to exist, for now. Mexico City is seen as the model for the rest of the country with hopes that this ban will become nationally implemented.
Tourist sites such as Cancun, Cozumel, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta offer tourists expensive marine and dolphin swim shows. According to the initiative, shows of this type modify the nature of the animals and they generate tension . “Many of them are medicated before public shows to reduce stress and keep them docile,” says the text.
