Dolphin Incident in Ceuta Sparks Outrage Among Locals

Migrants in Ceuta, a North African Spanish enclave, have come under fire after video footage surfaced showing them allegedly harming a young dolphin, possibly leading to its death. The video captures men and boys lifting a dolphin calf in celebration as observers cheer.

The dolphin reportedly swam too close to the shore and was pulled from El Trampolin beach by the group. This act angered local residents who tried to intervene.

“On Wednesday, September 2, 2026, a disoriented dolphin calf swimming near the shore at Trampolin Beach, in Ceuta, was brutally pulled from the water,” Nadia Garcia Gomez stated in a social media post. She announced a petition to have those involved arrested.

Witnesses reported that one man struck the dolphin with a stick, causing severe injury, as captured in the video with some viewers voicing objections. While some cheered, others showed concern for the marine mammal’s treatment. Eventually, efforts were made to return the dolphin to the water.

The incident has fueled anger among Ceuta’s residents, who demand accountability. Gomez described the actions as “extreme and unjustifiable cruelty,” pointing out the protected status of dolphins under Spanish and European laws.

Ceuta is experiencing an influx of migrants from nearby Morocco, with tens of thousands crossing into the enclave in recent months. In July alone, over 70,000 migrants breached Ceuta’s border defenses. Although many returned home, thousands remain.

Local residents are calling for stronger actions, including deportations and heightened security measures from Madrid. Last week, tensions led to locals dismantling migrant tents and shelters on the beach.