Puerto Aventuras Shamed as Worst Aquarium in Mexico

10 Worst Tanks List for Dolphins and Whales Announced

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CONTACT: Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., toni@idausa.org, (+1) 805-836-0496

Riviera Maya, Quinta Roo (July 20, 2016) – International animal protection organization, In Defense of Animals, today released its list of the Ten Worst Tanks for Dolphins and Whales in North America, with Puerto Aventuras shamed as the worst in Mexico. The facility is charged as being a ‘dirty dolphin disgrace’ and appears as third on the list, with Six Flags Mexico in Mexico City shamed in sixth place.

The Ten Worst Tanks list exposes and represents the misery and suffering of some of the oceans’ most intelligent and complex mammals in captivity. Whales and dolphins are subject to astonishing rates of premature death, captivity-related injuries, forced removal of babies from mothers, and solitary isolation. Many are confined to swimming endless circles in cramped tanks, deprived of healthy social groups, and forced to endure invasive reproduction techniques, polluted water, dangerous transport, and brutal exploitation of their sociable natures through “swim” and “petting” programs.

The list was selected from over 60 facilities from southern Canada to Mexico where almost 1,000 whales and dolphins are held captive for public display.

“Puerto Aventuras is the worst aquarium in Mexico, and a dirty dolphin disgrace that plumbs the depths in its exploitation of intelligent and sensitive animals,” said In Defense of Animals President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Even with the most modern technology, veterinary care, and infrastructure, cetaceans still suffer intensely in captivity and exhibit surprisingly high mortality rates. Please help protect dolphins and whales in the wild where they belong, by pledging to never visit facilities that imprison them.”

Puerto Aventuras’ Shame

Puerto Aventuras is captive swim-with-dolphin and cruise ship destination in the Riviera Maya near Cancun. While tourists may expect turquoise-clear waters they will instead see a murky and stagnant aquatic cage full of dolphins. The pens share water with an adjacent active boat marina where pollution from feces, motor oil, and petrol abound. The water is apparently so filthy that children participating in the dolphin swim-with program are asked to avoid getting water in their mouths. Acoustic pollution is another concern, given the dolphins’ proximity to the boat engines in the marina and from being surrounded by noisy hotels, bars and restaurants with loud music.

Imprisoned dolphins are made to perform unnatural behaviors and give rides to the paying public, often resulting in a variety of captivity-related stressors and placing them at increased risk of injury. In Defense of Animals observed wounds and other injuries on several dolphins. For example, abrasions were observed on several of the dolphins’ faces, likely from repetitive pushing against enclosure barriers, a stereotypic stress-related behavior. One of the dolphins also appeared to have a serious injury and infection on the tail, which is especially troubling given the challenges of healing in water of such suspect quality.

Tourists pay a monetary fee but this business costs the dolphins their family bonds, freedom and psychological welfare. Other coerced and artificial experiences for sale are dolphin rides where people grab and hang onto their dorsal fins, belly rides, “kisses”, “hugs”, “handshakes,” and “foot-pushes”. Puerto Aventuras is owned by Dolphin Discovery, a Mexican company that owns, at least, a staggering 24 captive dolphin facilities. It is time to shut down this dirty dolphin disgrace.

10 WORST TANKS:

1. SeaWorld, San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida
2. Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
3. Puerto Aventuras Dolphin Discovery, Mayan Riviera, Quinta Roo, Mexico
4. Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Georgia
5. Miami Seaquarium, Miami, Florida
6. Six Flags Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
7. Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, Gulfport, Mississippi and Unnamed new facility planned by same owner also in Gulfport, Mississippi
8. Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
9. Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
10. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, Illinois

Dishonorable Mention:
Dophinaris, Scottsdale, Arizona

Honorable Mention:
National Aquarium, Baltimore, Maryland

### NOTES ###

The Ten Worst Tanks list was produced over the past year by multiple cetacean experts and scientists to represent the myriad horrors faced by cetaceans in captivity. Facilities were examined and investigated in-person; through review of government records, veterinary records, and death reports; and via image and data documentation.

In Defense of Animals also produces the respected Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants List, now in its twelfth year: http://www.idausa.org/2015tenworstzoos

For more information please visit: www.idausa.org/10WorstTanks

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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization located in San Rafael, Calif. dedicated to protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, outreach, and our hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • (+1) 415-448-0048