The Report on Captive Dolphins in Mexico and Dominican Republic is an evocative and exhaustive 2010 study of how dolphins are captured, traded, maintained and displayed. Anyone thinking of buying a ticket to see a show or swim with dolphins anywhere in the world is likely to change their plans after reading this book. The book was researched and written by Dr. Yolanda Alaniz Pasini for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which has authorized CSI to provide free PDF downloads of both Spanish and English editions here:

Spanish: Alaniz.wspaReporteDelfinesMexDResp1010.pdf

English: Alaniz.wspaReporteDelfinesMexDReng1010.pdf

The clear and detailed facts within the Report build an undeniable case against captive display, dolphin assisted therapy and swim-with-the-dolphins exploitation, but the underlying purpose of this remarkable work is the ethical evolution of society's perspective of the true worth of a dolphin, and of all living things. The facilities are representative of all Latin American facilities, not just the two countries where facilities were studied.

No other person on Earth could have written this report but Mexico's Dr. Yolanda Alaniz Pasini, of Conservación de Mamíferos Marinos de México (COMARINO). Yolanda's qualifications, abilities, experience, and influence are unique among the many people working for marine mammals. She has produced profoundly positive changes within Mexico and around the world, and her pace is just accelerating. She is a leader by example, but no one can keep up with her.

Nor could the report have been written without the support of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). Marcela Vargas, campaign Manager for WSPA Costa Rica, is an inspiration to so many, but few Whales Alive! readers will have heard of her. Simply put, she makes very good things happen. This book is an excellent example.