SWR-Dolphin Cruelty-for those honeymooning in mexico

Hey

I hate to be a damper but I'm a big animal rights activist. I saw a post on swimming with the dolphins in mexico, I didn't want to reply to that post because I hate imposing my views-so I created this one.

Don't read further if you're not interested....


Swimming with dolphins is a lot of fun, but please consider that the US breeds dolphins in captivity for this and does NOT capture wild dolphins, wheras Mexico is notorious for animal cruelty. Dophins are captured from the wild, usually from the Solomon Islands, and are held in close quarters until they are sold to "swim with the dolphins" parks. Many die in the process.

Well, to make a sad story short, just consider that before booking.

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good q & a

Message edited 3/4/2006 6:21:49 PM.

Re: SWR-Dolphin Cruelty-for those honeymooning in mexico

I swam with dophins in Bermuda and looked into this afterward, as something just didn't seem right. It was an amazing experience, but I wondered what life was like for them to be confined as they were. These dolphins that are used for vacationers and others to swim with want to be free and not kept confined, as they are. It is very sad.

Re: SWR-Dolphin Cruelty-for those honeymooning in mexico

Re: SWR-Dolphin Cruelty-for those honeymooning in mexico

That is sad

Re: SWR-Dolphin Cruelty-for those honeymooning in mexico

Now I feel guilty because me, fi and my son did that in Cancun. I'll keep what you said in mind though for fyrther vacations that offer it. I tell ya though, you wouldn't know by looking at them though. They seem very adjusted.

Re: SWR-Dolphin Cruelty-for those honeymooning in mexico

There was a piece on Dateline, or Primetime a few months ago regarding this. It made me really sick to watch. DH and I have done the swimming with Dolphins thing, but here in the US. I do really feel the animals being held in captivity (I believe all animals should be free!), but these dolphins don't know anything other than living in a park and interacting with humans.

Re: SWR-Dolphin Cruelty-for those honeymooning in mexico

I'd like to commend you for your respect in not posting in (what I believe to be) my post about the dolphins in Cabo. That was very considerate and appreciated! You are a true activist, unlike many who take opportunity to be "kill joys" with rarely enough info to back themselves up.

If it was my post you refer to, I made it out of sheer joy in the moment of discovery. I have already had a few email passings (because I have a million questions) with a woman from this "new" facility in Cabo San Lucas (I've actually been watching the construction go on through Cabo photo reviews in tripadvisor, not knowing what it was going to be) which is litterally accross the street from one of our hotels. Rest assured that I will completely get as much info on this place before I partake and will survey the facility in person when we get there and if it does not feel right, we will not do it (I cannot promise you a protest on our honeymoon but I will do what I can when we get back).

While I am not an active animal rights advocate, I do my part as best I can as a very concerned civilian. And always do some research and go with my gut on things pertaining to animals.

My only experience with swimming with dolphins was in the Bahamas and they were not penned at all. The facility was a Gilligan's Island kind of set up with floating docks in the actual little lagoon area off the ocean. One of the dolphins we swam with literally swam next to the shuttle boat from our port to the place about 20 miles away! They just come back and stay for the free easy food and good lovin! And they gave excellent orientations and were sure that you did not grope the dolphins. You were in knee deep water (on a submerged platform [which this place has so I was relating it but I later learned that they are an indoor facility with pools so I'm becoming skeptical, hence the emails]) and were only allowed to use one hand to pet them. Most of the time really was spent sitting around the floating dock with our feet in the water while they swam and played. That truly was enough! To be so close to those massive, beautiful creatures was awesome! It may sound strict but I truly felt satisfied and pleased that these people respected those dolphins.

As said, I will fully research Cabo Dolphins before we go. They are on the edge of the marina so I was hopeful there may be some kind of free passaway for them to come and go but we'll see. Doen't Discovery Cove have humane captivity? So it can be done. Any easy resources you could use or offer to get any untold info on this Cabo Dolphins place (like is the owner the same as that reported one just changing names) would be greatly appreciated!

Again... truly, truly grateful for your respect and consideration of the joy and happiness that I and many others would share in that post! Thank you!