News Archives

June, 2002

Don't let officials forget the "La Paz Seven"

Dolphin advocates from around the world were horrified last year to see graphic video footage of one dolphin - Quinta - being repeatedly dropped as she was transferred from a truck to a holding pen following her capture. A female named Luna died shortly after capture from what was determined to be stress-induced ulcers. These two glaring examples of FINS' disregard for the animals' welfare prompted an enormous international response from NGOs, the media and general public alike.

What came next was a tug-of-war between a dizzying number of special interests, with the dolphins caught squarely in the middle. Despite evidence that FINS did not possess the proper permits and promises by the Environmental Ministry to confiscate and care for the dolphins, these suffering creatures inexplicably remain in FINS custody.

Recently, President Vicente Fox passed several laws, making dolphin proponents hopeful that justice is around the corner for the La Paz Seven. In January, a prohibition was enacted on capturing marine mammals for commercial purposes. The administration also declared Mexico's entire economic zone a sanctuary from whaling. President Fox has proven to be a champion of wildlife and environmental protection and many feel that he is the dolphins' best - and possibly last - hope.