Imported Solomon Islands dolphin dies in Mexico

One of the dolphins imported from the Solomon Islands to a Cancun aquatic park died on Monday, Mexico's federal environmental agency said.

Twenty-eight bottlenose dolphins were taken to the privately operated Parque Nizuc water park in Mexico last week in a cargo jet from the Solomon Islands.

Australian newspapers reported that the dolphins were sold for A$400 ($455) each.

Environmental groups protested at the dolphin trading and said 200 dolphins had been rounded up by Solomon Islands fishermen, dumped in open boats and then imprisoned in 1m deep pens.

The Australian government had asked Mexico to block the importing of dolphins but the Mexican government said Parque Nizuc was legally allowed to own them.

Mexico's environmental protection agency did not give any details of the dolphin's death yesterday.

The Mexican government last week denied claims by Environmental groups that as many as six dolphins died during the trip from the Solomon Islands, and that the 15 males and 13 females were fine.