A group advocating for marine animal rights has initiated a boycott against the confinement of dolphins at a high-end hotel. Recently released drone footage reveals six dolphins swimming in what activists describe as a confined concrete tank at a luxury resort in Mexico. The footage, captured in May 2026 by TideBreakers, a marine animal rights group, shows the dolphins swimming repetitively or remaining motionless near a gate.
The Hyatt Ziva Cancún resort in Cancún has leased its former swimming pool to Delphinus, a dolphin experience company, since 2015. TideBreakers alleges that the dolphins are continuously exposed to interactions with hotel guests, limiting their ability to exhibit natural social behaviors. Consequently, the group is urging a global boycott of Hyatt hotels until the resort discontinues leasing the pool to Delphinus.
During a visit to the resort in May, TideBreakers’ co-founder, Marketa Schusterova, observed what she described as substandard conditions for the dolphins. She highlighted concerns about the dolphins being kept in shallow tanks without adequate shelter, subjected to loud music during the day, and disrupted by a nightly laser show, resulting in distress and physical harm.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Hyatt Ziva Cancún acknowledged the concerns raised regarding the dolphins at the resort. The spokesperson emphasized that while Delphinus manages the dolphin habitat and program, the organization is accredited by Mexican authorities and international agencies, ensuring the dolphins’ care is overseen by trained animal care and veterinary professionals.