Barcelona, Spain could soon become a global leader and champion for dolphin well-being. International experts and people around the world are watching closely as the city grapples with the question of whether to expand or shut down its dolphinarium.

The dolphinarium, located within the Barcelona Zoo, currently holds four dolphins, with two having recently been transferred to a facility in Valencia. As of 2018, the aging facility will be in violation of welfare standards set by the European Association of Aquatic Mammals. Previously, the former mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, approved the equivalent of roughly $15 million for upgrades to the facility to bring it into compliance. However, the new administration, headed by Ada Colau, has stalled the project, questioning whether the city should have a dolphinarium at all.

Now, retirement options are being looked into for the dolphins, with some hoping that the money set aside for the facility’s expansion could be used to build a retirement facility instead.

The zoo, the city council and members of the public have long acknowledged problems with the dolphinarium. A petition by the group Adéu Delfinari has garnered nearly 30,000 signatures from people who want to see the dolphinarium shut down and the dolphins sent to sanctuaries. In 2015, the facility stopped all dolphin performances, in an attempt to present dolphins in a more natural way.

In Defense of Animals supports global efforts to shut down dolphinariums. Visit In Defense of Animals’ Cetacean Campaign page to learn more.