A distressing incident involving a baby dolphin in Ceuta has ignited widespread outrage and criticism. Video footage from the trampoline beach, where thousands of migrants have set up camp, captures a small dolphin being surrounded by several men. One individual can be seen holding the dolphin aloft like a trophy, while onlookers cheer in response. Another clip shows a different man carrying the young dolphin with raised arms, followed closely by a group of people.
The footage has led to a wave of condemnation, with accusations directed at the men for mistreating the animal, although the extent of any abuse is not clearly evident from the recordings. In a separate video, a young man wearing a white t-shirt intervenes, repeatedly shouting "No, No!" in Spanish. Following his intervention, the crowd releases the dolphin back into the water. However, the man in the white shirt shakes his head and repeatedly asserts, "already dead, already dead," raising further concerns about the dolphin's condition.
According to reports from the Spanish broadcaster Faro TV, the dolphin was discovered by a group of migrants while it was stranded in shallow waters near the beach. It was subsequently pulled from the water, and it was alleged that one person struck the dolphin with a stick. A Spanish pest control worker present at the beach reportedly alerted the men that the dolphin is a protected species.
As highlighted by the Belgian newspaper HLN, the Spanish environmental organization DAUBMA has already filed a complaint with the Spanish police, demanding the identification and prosecution of the alleged perpetrators. Nadia García Gómez, a Spanish citizen, has initiated an online petition calling for legal action as well. She stated, "The images show how the lifeless body of the dolphin is used as a trophy. This act of extreme cruelty must not go unpunished." As of now, the petition has garnered 2,811 signatures.
In contrast, the Spanish animal rights party PACMA cautioned against hasty accusations. They stated, "We call for action in light of a crisis in which both people and animals suffer the consequences of a political conflict between countries... The party rejects the exploitation of the suffering of a people or their animals to incite hatred." They emphasized that spreading false images and exaggerating facts detracts from the victims and exacerbates tensions.
Ceuta has been overwhelmed by an influx of migrants from neighboring Morocco. In July, more than 70,000 migrants stormed the border facilities of the small enclave. Although most returned to their home countries shortly after, thousands remain in the area.
In the ongoing dispute over the accommodation of migrants in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, the leftist government in Madrid has taken control of the region's port. Transport Minister Óscar Puente signed an order allowing the establishment of a temporary tent camp for migrants in the port area, as reported by state broadcaster RTVE and other Spanish media.
Many of Ceuta's more than 83,000 residents are outraged over the prolonged presence of thousands of migrants. Protests frequently erupt, and violent incidents against migrants have occurred. Many, including the regional administration led by Vivas, are calling for the immediate deportation of the migrants back to Morocco.
As reported by t-online.de.
