MEXICO CITY―Humane World for Animals Mexico, previously called Humane Society International Mexico, welcomes the unanimous approval by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies of an amendment to the General Wildlife Law that bans the use of marine mammals such as dolphins, sea lions and orcas in captive entertainment, such as fixed or traveling shows. This follows a positive vote by the Senate yesterday.
Dr. Claudia Edwards, Humane World for Animals Mexico’s programs director, who supported the development of the bill, said: “This vote represents a decisive move toward ending the exploitation of whales, dolphins and other marine mammals for entertainment and marks a major stride forward in animal welfare and conservation efforts in Mexico. We congratulate all legislators for reaffirming Mexico’s commitment to the protection of wildlife and promoting sustainable coexistence between humans and animals.”
The ban now becomes law with immediate effect and implementing regulations will be issued within one year. There are an estimated 350 dolphins in captivity in Mexico who the law will require to be relocated to sea pens.
The approved amendment strictly prohibits the wild capture, captive breeding or keeping of marine mammals for any purpose outside of scientific research for conservation and species preservation, such as for reintroduction, restocking or translocation efforts aimed at restoring natural populations.
Humane World for Animals Mexico acknowledges the efforts of Dr. Yolanda Alaniz, a renowned marine mammal expert in Mexico, who has championed a ban on marine mammal spectacles, alongside other bioethics experts from Mexico’s National Autonomous University.
