{"id":490154,"date":"2026-02-19T12:51:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T12:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/490154\/"},"modified":"2026-02-19T12:51:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T12:51:10","slug":"sad-realisation-after-hotel-swimming-pools-drained-nothing-shy-of-torture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/490154\/","title":{"rendered":"Sad realisation after hotel swimming pools drained: ‘Nothing shy of torture’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a>, and two photographs taken this week show just how small their confines were.<\/p>\n

Without the water, it’s clear the pools at Barcel\u00f3 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.<\/p>\n

In the wild, the dolphins would swim around 100km a day, but it\u2019s estimated their tanks at the hotel were only slightly longer than a backyard pool.<\/p>\n

In 2025, the exposure of a horrific incident at the hotel led to an inquiry into the welfare of the dolphins.<\/p>\n

Footage showed one of the animals leap into the air and misjudge its landing<\/a>, smashing its body into the hard perimeter as paying guests watched on in horror.<\/p>\n

This led to a government investigation, and in May 2025, the gates to the pools were sealed shut due to what they described as \u201coperational irregularities\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Two dolphins swimming in the same pool before the hotel was investigated. Source: PROFEPA<\/p>\n

Pool described as ‘torture’ for dolphins<\/p>\n

Phil Demers, the founder of Urgent Seas<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cDolphins are hyper-intelligent beings and emotionally complex,\u201d Demers told Yahoo News.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think a life in those tanks was nothing shy of incessant torture.\u201d<\/p>\n

The paint on the walls of the tank is peeling, and it appears works are now underway to refurbish them for a new use.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a new coat of paint, they would look like a good tank for humans, but you\u2019d never fathom putting dolphins in there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\"Pictures<\/p>\n

A dolphin crash landed onto the pool’s edge as tourists watched on. Source: UrgentSeas<\/p>\n

Concern as dolphins moved to new facility<\/p>\n

At Barcel\u00f3 Maya Grand Resort, the dolphins were forced to perform tricks while tourists stood in the water with them.<\/p>\n

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 \u201cnightmare\u201d they once lived.<\/p>\n

One important change that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a shame that they go from one facility to the next, because there are no sanctuaries for them,\u201d Demers said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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