Hyatt Ziva Cancún, a hotel in Mexico, is facing backlash for housing six dolphins in a shallow concrete tank that was originally built as a swimming pool for guests. Since 2015, the hotel has been renting the former pool to Delphinus, a company that offers dolphin encounter experiences.
Drone footage reveals distressing conditions
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. According to TideBreakers, the animals are forced to interact with tourists throughout the day, leaving them with limited time for normal social behavior.
Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of TideBreakers, visited the resort in May and described the dolphins' living conditions as poor, with shallow pools, minimal shade, and little to no rest. She stated: "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."
Global boycott campaign launched
TideBreakers has launched a global campaign urging consumers to boycott Hyatt hotels until the company stops renting the pool to Delphinus. Schusterova emphasized that the dolphins have "zero possibility of any kind of normal social behaviour as they might experience it in the wild."
Hyatt's response
In response to the allegations, 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."
