Viral Dolphin Video in Tenerife Sparks Debate: Freedom or Harassment?
A TikTok video that has gone viral showing a group of dolphins swimming freely off the coast of Costa Adeje, Tenerife, has reignited debate over how marine animals are treated and observed in the Canary Islands.
The footage, shared by user @profesorjuanrod (Juan Armando), features dolphins gliding through the ocean alongside the caption: “It’s better to enjoy them in their natural habitat, not locked up in a park. They decide if they jump, play, mate, eat, leave, or return.”
The English teacher’s post has received thousands of reactions on the platform, dividing opinion among viewers. Many praised the message, emphasising the importance of respecting marine life and reducing the number of tourist boats that crowd the animals’ natural environment.
One user commented, “Don’t bother them, their natural habitat isn’t surrounded by boats,” while another warned, “If we disturb them with noise and engines, eventually they’ll leave.”
Others simply celebrated the beauty of the moment. “It’s wonderful to see them free,” one viewer wrote, and another added, “Thank you for promoting respect for animals.”
Tenerife: a hotspot for responsible dolphin watching
The waters of southwest Tenerife, particularly around Costa Adeje and Santiago del Teide, are home to permanent populations of bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales, making the area one of the world’s premier locations for whale watching.
For years, the island’s authorities and environmental groups have promoted responsible marine tourism, urging visitors and operators to maintain safe distances and minimise noise pollution to protect these species.
The message from Juan Armando, widely shared across social media, reflects a growing sentiment among locals: that the freedom of marine animals is part of the Canary Islands’ natural heritage, and must be safeguarded against invasive tourism.
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