Cancun, Q.R. — The Attorney General’s Office is evaluating the conditions surrounding the deaths of two captive dolphins. The mammals, who were both once related to Cancun aquariums, died last month.
The Federal Attorney General’s Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) says necropsies were performed on the dolphins in captivity. One was named Mincho who died at Dolphin Connection Cancun, and the other Moana, at the Sonora Dolphinarium.
In the case of Mincho whose death occurred on October 30, the necropsy results reported that the carcinoma he had on his tongue metastasized to other organs of his body, which caused him to no longer be able to respond to the veterinary medical care provided, causing his death.
Regarding Moana who died on October 1st, the necropsy reported trauma associated with her death. As a result of various inspections carried out by Profepa (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection), it was confirmed that the cause of death was a blow to the marine mammal’s liver, possibly from a light fixture falling due to gusts from Hurricane Polo.
This liver trauma caused changes in her behavior and feeding habits that led to her death.
The Attorney General’s Office continues to work permanently to guarantee optimal welfare conditions and to safeguard the specimens of wild fauna under human care in both establishments.
As part of the immediate actions of action and oversight, specialized personnel from the Attorney General’s Office carry out inspection visits to verify strict compliance with management plans, veterinary medical protocols and the conditions of the facilities.
It also acts with legal firmness to establish the corresponding administrative and, where appropriate, criminal responsibilities of the establishments or responsible parties involved, exhausting all legal avenues to ensure that, in case of non-compliance, the sanctions provided for in current environmental legislation are imposed.
