MEXICO CITY―Humane World for Animals Mexico, previously called Humane Society International Mexico, welcomes the unanimous approval by the Mexican Senate of an amendment to the General Wildlife Law that would ban the use of marine mammals such as dolphins, sea lions and orcas in captive entertainment, such as fixed or traveling shows.
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 the Senate for reaffirming Mexico’s commitment to the protection of wildlife and promoting sustainable coexistence between humans and animals.”
The legislation has now been forwarded to the Chamber of Deputies. If approved, the bill will be enacted into law, reinforcing protections for wildlife nationwide.
The amendment seeks to strictly prohibit 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. It is worth noting that during the Senate debate, most legislators referenced the sentience of animals in general and of dolphins in particular in the passing of the bill.
