Tragic accident on hotel grounds: Dolphin falls onto edge of pool during show and dies

Riviera Maya (Mexico) - Although dolphin shows are now considered disreputable and are banned in many places, there are still plenty of marine animals that are caged for the amusement of guests. This is also the case at a hotel in Mexico, where a tragic accident occurred in January - with a devastating outcome.

At a dolphin show in Mexico, an animal died after falling onto the edge of the pool.
At a dolphin show in Mexico, an animal died after falling onto the edge of the pool.  © Bildmontage/Screenshot/Instagram/urgentseas

The incident happened at the 5-star Barceló Maya hotel in the Mexican Caribbean, which has a pool for dolphins, among other things.

During a performance in which three dolphins had to perform all kinds of tricks for the guests, one of the animals apparently misjudged its position and landed on the edge of the tiny pool.

The marine mammal was apparently so badly injured in the fall that it died on the spot.

Footage sent to the animal welfare organization "UrgentSeas" by a shocked guest shows the horrific moment when the dolphin jumps out of the water into the air at the same time as the other two animals and then hits the edge of the pool, snout first.

While the dolphin trainers rush towards the animal, it remains motionless in front of the hotel guests.

Video shows horrific accident: Dolphin crashes onto edge of pool during show and dies

After the incident, the luxury resort was overwhelmed by criticism from all over the world.
After the incident, the luxury resort was overwhelmed by criticism from all over the world.  © Bildmontage/Screenshot/Instagram/urgentseas

"Although we cannot confirm it, we have been informed that the dolphin died from this SHOCKING and UNNECESSARY injury," reads the Instagram page of "UrgentSeas".

As Yahoo News reports, the luxury resort was inundated with a wave of criticism and hate following the apparently fatal accident. Users posted rows of bad reviews and demanded that the "Barceló Maya" finally stop its animal shows. The hashtags "boycott" and "freethedolphins" are particularly popular on the hotel's Instagram page.

In the hotel complex, you can climb into the pool with the dolphins for around 65 dollars to get as close as possible to the animals. Among other things, paying guests are allowed to shake the fin and hug a dolphin. If you add another 14 euros, tourists can even ride the dolphins.

"That broke my heart and turned my stomach," wrote one stunned user under the disturbing video.

The hotel has not yet commented on the allegations.