When people think of a zoological institution, they often picture a place where visitors observe animals. However, to be considered modern, these institutions must actively integrate five pillars into their work: conservation, rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, environmental education, and animal welfare.
These principles are promoted by specialized international organizations such as the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), which establishes criteria and best practices for institutions dedicated to the care and management of marine mammals.
In Mexico, some institutions go far beyond animal interactions. In this blog, we explore what Delphinus does to be one of them.
The fundamental purpose of a modern zoological institution
Biodiversity conservation is one of the main goals of modern zoological institutions. At Delphinus, our work combines animal care with research, animal welfare, and environmental education to generate knowledge that contributes to the protection of marine mammals and their ecosystems.
One example is our participation in Vaquita CPR, an international initiative aimed at preventing the extinction of the vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus), to which we contributed our experience in marine mammal management. With the support of our visitors, we have also carried out actions to help protect this species, including the removal of ghost nets in the Upper Gulf of California.
Because protecting a species also requires understanding it, modern zoological institutions participate in research, environmental education, and conservation efforts that help safeguard marine life.
Supporting marine mammals that need help
Another characteristic that distinguishes modern zoological institutions is their participation in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation programs. These efforts provide specialized care for animals affected by injuries, illnesses, or natural events that threaten their survival.
Delphinus is part of the Red de Atención para el Varamiento de Mamíferos Marinos, a marine mammal stranding response network, collaborating in efforts to assist animals that require specialized intervention. Through this participation, we contribute technical expertise, staff resources, and scientific knowledge to support marine mammal conservation efforts in Mexico.
Rescue and rehabilitation programs create a direct connection between specialized care and conservation. Each intervention generates valuable information about environmental threats, animal health, and the condition of marine ecosystems, helping us better understand the challenges species face in the wild.
Generating knowledge to improve conservation and animal welfare
Scientific research helps us learn more about animals, understand their behavior and welfare, and make evidence-based decisions.
At Delphinus, we maintain ongoing research programs and collaborate with universities and academic institutions in Mexico and internationally. Research topics include dolphin social behavior, parental care, the establishment of social hierarchies, monitoring marine species involved in conservation programs, and marine mammal welfare in accredited zoological institutions.
In the study Towards understanding the welfare of cetaceans in accredited zoos and aquariums, Delphinus participated as one of the accredited institutions contributing data to assess the welfare of cetaceans under professional care. Our contribution included information about our dolphins’ health, management, training, environmental enrichment, and behavior, which became part of the international database used by the researchers.
In other words, nearly eight out of every ten Delphinus dolphins participated in the study, and this group represented almost a quarter of all the bottlenose dolphins included in the research.
The importance of this work is supported by the international scientific community. Research on cetacean welfare has developed methods that combine behavioral, physiological, and environmental indicators to assess animal welfare comprehensively. This knowledge helps us better understand animals’ needs, identify indicators related to their health and welfare, and continuously improve care and management practices.
Building awareness to protect the oceans
Environmental education is one of the key pillars of modern zoological institutions worldwide. Beyond displaying animals, these organizations aim to make scientific knowledge accessible to the public and encourage responsible behavior toward nature.
Environmental education is considered one of the most effective tools for conservation because it helps turn knowledge into action. When people understand how marine ecosystems work and learn about the threats they face, they are more likely to adopt habits that help protect them.
One of our main initiatives at Delphinus is the Programa de Visitas Didácticas, our educational visits program. Since 2012, it has brought environmental education to more than 148,000 students in Quintana Roo. The program covers topics such as marine conservation, animal welfare, climate change, and ocean protection through a model that combines classroom activities, visits to our habitats, and school-based follow-up.
Between 14,000 and 18,000 students participate each year, primarily from public schools. Through our collaboration with the Quintana Roo Department of Education, thousands of students and teachers have been able to access these educational experiences free of charge.
Education can also extend beyond the classroom. That is why Delphinus created the Festival de los Océanos del Caribe Mexicano, the Mexican Caribbean Oceans Festival. This initiative brings together science, art, sustainability, and conservation to connect the community with these topics and encourage greater participation in caring for the environment.
The foundation of every responsible zoological institution
Animal welfare is the foundation on which the activities of a modern zoological institution are built. International organizations such as AMMPA establish standards related to health, nutrition, behavior, environmental enrichment, professional management, and the quality of the spaces where animals live.
Animal welfare science has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Today, specialists use internationally recognized models, such as the Five Domains Model of Animal Welfare, to assess aspects of nutrition, health, environment, behavior, and animals’ experiences. Recent research has also helped develop specific indicators for cetaceans under professional care, strengthening the objective assessment of their welfare.
At Delphinus, we apply these principles through a comprehensive model that includes balanced nutrition, preventive medicine, health monitoring, positive reinforcement training, environmental enrichment, and opportunities for species-typical behaviors. Each of these elements contributes to the quality of life and welfare of the animals in our care.
Delphinus also holds international accreditations and certifications related to animal welfare, including recognition from specialized organizations that independently evaluate marine mammal care and management practices.
Mexico is home to modern zoological institutions whose work encompasses conservation, scientific research, environmental education, rescue, and animal welfare. Delphinus is one of them.
Through these pillars, we have developed an approach that seeks to generate knowledge about marine mammals, contribute to their welfare, strengthen a culture of conservation, and promote a more responsible relationship between people and the environment.
When science, education, and animal care work together, their impact can extend beyond our facilities and contribute to the protection of marine ecosystems for future generations.