The draining of two swimming pools at a luxury hotel has led to a grim realisation. The dolphins that once lived in them have been taken away, and two photographs taken this week show just how small their confines were.
Without the water, it’s clear the pools at Barceló Maya Grand Resort in Mexico were little more than 2.5 metres deep, and barren, which dolphin welfare advocates say could not meet their needs.
In the wild, the dolphins would swim around 100km a day, but it’s estimated their tanks at the hotel were only slightly longer than a backyard pool.
In 2025, the exposure of a horrific incident at the hotel led to an inquiry into the welfare of the dolphins.
Footage showed one of the animals leap into the air and misjudge its landing, smashing its body into the hard perimeter as paying guests watched on in horror.
This led to a government investigation, and in May 2025, the gates to the pools were sealed shut due to what they described as “operational irregularities”.
Two dolphins swimming in the same pool before the hotel was investigated. Source: PROFEPA
Pool described as ‘torture’ for dolphins
Phil Demers, the founder of Urgent Seas, spearheaded a campaign to remove the dolphins from the pools. He said that without looking at a drained pool or drone vision from above, it can be hard to understand just how small the tanks used to house dolphins are.
As humans, we associate palm trees, cabanas, and blue waters with relaxation, so housing dolphins in this setting can create the impression that the dolphins are living in idyllic conditions.
“Dolphins are hyper-intelligent beings and emotionally complex,” Demers told Yahoo News.
“I think a life in those tanks was nothing shy of incessant torture.”
The paint on the walls of the tank is peeling, and it appears works are now underway to refurbish them for a new use.
“With a new coat of paint, they would look like a good tank for humans, but you’d never fathom putting dolphins in there,” he said.
A dolphin crash landed onto the pool’s edge as tourists watched on. Source: UrgentSeas
Concern as dolphins moved to new facility
At Barceló Maya Grand Resort, the dolphins were forced to perform tricks while tourists stood in the water with them.
The dolphins have now been transported to new captive facilities, and while Demers would prefer to see them in a sanctuary, he believes the outcome is an improvement on the “nightmare” they once lived.
One important change that’s impacted the lives of dolphins is that Mexico passed new laws that prohibit their use in shows, therapy, entertainment, or research, meaning they can only be used for educational purposes and display.
“It is a shame that they go from one facility to the next, because there are no sanctuaries for them,” Demers said.
“The good news is that at least now they’re not facing such exploitation. But the bad news is that less money is coming in, so that could lead to a more precarious situation.”
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