Dolphin Eviscerated on Crucita Beach During Carnival — Environment Minister Opens Criminal Investigation

A viral video from one of Ecuador’s most popular beaches has triggered national outrage and a criminal investigation.

What Happened

During Carnival weekend at Crucita beach in the canton of Portoviejo, Manabí province, a group of individuals dragged a dolphin onto the shore and proceeded to eviscerate it — cutting it open with a knife and exposing its intestines — in full view of dozens of beachgoers, including tourists and children.

Video footage shows multiple people dragging the cetacean along the shoreline before one individual armed with a knife opened the animal in front of witnesses. The dolphin was left with its intestines fully exposed on the rocks.

Remarkably, a police officer was present and appeared to document the incident rather than intervene.

The Response

Ecuador’s Environment Minister immediately announced a formal criminal investigation and stated that legal action would be pursued against those responsible.

Under Article 247 of Ecuador’s Comprehensive Criminal Code (COIP), the mistreatment, capture, and trafficking of protected marine species carries sentences of one to three years imprisonment. Dolphins are protected under both Ecuadorian law and international conventions.

Authorities are working to identify the individuals in the video using surveillance footage and witness accounts.

Crucita’s Growing Pains

Crucita is a small beach town approximately 30 minutes northwest of Portoviejo that has grown rapidly as a tourism and expat destination. The town is known for:

• Paragliding — it’s one of Ecuador’s top launch sites due to consistent thermal winds
• Affordable beachfront living — property prices remain significantly lower than in Manta or Salinas
• A growing international community — including retirees and digital nomads attracted by the low cost of living

The Carnival period brought a massive influx of visitors to the Manabí coast, with 90% hotel occupancy in Manta and over $20 million in tourism revenue across the province. But the dolphin incident highlights the tension between rapid tourism growth and environmental stewardship.

What This Means for Expats

• If you live on the Manabí coast, this is your backyard. Crucita, Manta, San Clemente, and surrounding beaches are home to a vibrant marine ecosystem including dolphins, sea turtles, humpback whales (seasonal), and manta rays. Their protection directly affects the quality of life that drew you to the coast
• Ecuador’s wildlife laws have teeth. The COIP provides for real prison sentences for wildlife crimes. If you witness marine wildlife abuse, report it to the Environment Ministry hotline or ECU 911
• Tourism growth needs environmental guardrails. Manabí’s designation as World Gastronomy Region 2026 and the booming tourism economy are positive developments, but they need to be matched with environmental education and enforcement
• The police response is concerning. An officer documenting rather than stopping a wildlife crime raises questions about training and enforcement priorities

Sources: El Universo, El Telégrafo, KCH FM