Hotel keeping dolphins in ‘shallow’ pool originally built for guests

A hotel in Mexico has come under fire for keeping six dolphins in a ‘shallow’ concrete tank – initially built as swimming pools for guests.

The hotel Hyatt Ziva Cancún,in Cancún has been renting the former pool to the company Delphinus,a ‘dolphin experience’ provider,since 2015.

Drone footage from May 2026,provided by marine animal rights group TideBreakers,shows the dolphins either swimming in endless circles or floating aimlessly by the gate.

The animals are also made to endure interactions with tourists throughout the day,limiting time for their own normal social behaviour,TideBreakers said.

Marketa Schusterova,TideBreaker’s co-founder,visited the resort in May and said the animals were living in ‘poor conditions’ featuring shallow pools,minimal shade,and little to zero rest.

The animal rights group is launching a campaign globally boycotting Hyatt hotels until they stop renting the pool out to Delphinus.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.The hotel says the creatures are well cared for (Picture: SWNS)Concerns about the dolphin’s welfare have been raised (Picture: SWNS)Marketa said: ‘These dolphins are in shallow tanks,have no escape,no shade,suffer from a constant barrage of disco music,and then at night a laser show keeps them awake.‘They are not medically looked after well,appear thin,have damage and scars on their bodies,and they are clearly distressed.‘There is zero possibility of any kind of normal social behaviour as they might experience it in the wild.’In response,a spokesperson from Hyatt Ziva Cancún said: ‘We understand the concerns raised regarding the dolphins at the resort.‘While the dolphin habitat and program at the resort are operated and managed by a third party,Delphinus,we want all services and experiences offered at our hotel to meet our high standards.‘Delphinus is an organisation accredited by Mexican authorities and international agencies and is responsible for the care of the dolphins,including support from trained animal care and veterinary professionals.’Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at .For more stories like this,check our news page.