The death of Moana, a female bottlenose dolphin , has brought the Sonora Dolphinarium in Guaymas, Mexico, into sharp focus. The dolphin, approximately eight years old, was in the care of the facility when she died on October 1, according to the official statement sent to environmental authorities.
The notice does not yet specify what caused the death. The cause is still pending analysis , while the center remains closed and authorities await the results of veterinary and laboratory tests to close the case.
Official notification and initial actions
The Sonora State Commission for Ecology and Sustainable Development (CEDES) referred the case to the Federal Attorney General's Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa). The official letter is dated October 1st and was received that same day by the agency's office in Sonora.
Veterinary staff detected the death at approximately 08:40 a.m. and activated the established internal protocols. The body was secured, a technical report was opened, and documentation and images of the incident were collected.
The animal was being kept in captivity and was part of the registry of properties or facilities authorized for wildlife management. Its identification was confirmed by microchip , which allowed the animal's data to be verified in the official communication.
Necropsy, samples and pending case
In addition to the post-mortem clinical evaluation, a necropsy was performed . Biological samples were also taken and preserved for further laboratory analysis.
CEDES indicated that the definitive cause cannot yet be established. The results of these analyses will be sent later to Profepa so that the federal authority can determine the appropriate actions.
The case file will include photographic and documentary evidence. The official report does not attribute the death to a specific cause , so the autopsy and laboratory tests will be crucial.
Identification of the specimen and location of the dolphinarium
Moana was registered as a bottlenose dolphin. She was approximately eight years old and had a permanent microchip identification number: 981098109179604.
The facility is located at kilometer 5.57 of the San Carlos–Las Tinajas highway , in Guaymas, Sonora. The death occurred at that facility, according to the released document.
The center has remained closed, and a notice has been posted outside indicating that maintenance work is underway. According to reports, the administration has not yet issued a public statement regarding the incident.
Final destination and follow-up by Profepa
The final disposition of the body will be decided in accordance with applicable regulations and the guidelines of Profepa . This decision will be made once the expert and health studies are completed.
The notification is based on the General Wildlife Law, its regulations, and the Mexican Official Standard NOM-135-SEMARNAT-2004 , according to the official document. The state authority indicated its willingness to provide additional information if required.
The available information agrees that Moana died on October 1st at the Sonora Dolphinarium, that veterinary procedures were initiated, and that the cause remains unconfirmed . Pending analyses will clarify the circumstances and allow the investigation to conclude.