Shocking footage has emerged of an aquarium dolphin twitching on the ground after leaping out of its pool and into a seating area where people were watching it perform.
The clip was filmed at Minsk Dolphinarium Nemo in Belarus, and shows the helpless mammal lying on the auditorium's floor next to its pool.
Other dolphins can be seen swimming inside the tank, but appear to be distraught, with three popping their heads over to check on their stranded friend.
One can be heard squeaking in apparent distress, while visitors at the amusement centre watch on and film the upsetting scenes as music continues to be blasted in the background.
A group of staff members then approach the marine animal and work to haul it back into the pen using a towel, with the crowd of parents and children gasping and cheering as they manage to put it back into the tank.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/13/85197847-13446875-image-m-28_1716380082370.jpg)
Shocking footage has emerged of an aquarium dolphin twitching on the ground after leaping out of its pool and into a seating area
![Visitors at the amusement centre watch on and film the upsetting scenes from their seats before a group approaches the mammal](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/13/85197853-13446875-image-m-24_1716379900522.jpg)
Visitors at the amusement centre watch on and film the upsetting scenes from their seats before a group approaches the mammal
One of the keepers falls into the pool with the dolphin as he pulls it over the side, while another takes a bow for the spectators.
While dolphins breathe oxygen, they are at risk of dying from overheating if they are out of the water for any extended period of time.
It is not clear what lead to the dolphin being out of the water, though animal welfare charity Dolphin Project commented, referring to cases of dolphins jumping out of their tanks.
A spokesperson for the charity said: 'Abnormal behaviours in dolphins, orcas, belugas and other cetaceans in captivity have been documented countless times - from extreme cases of jumping out of their tanks, to banging their heads against walls or gates, to floating lethargically for extended periods of time.
'These are just a few of many reasons why they do not belong in aquariums and marine parks.
'We strive to expose the issues these animals face in the captive trade, and to advocate for an end to this exploitation.'
![Staff members work to haul it back into the pen using a towel, with the crowd cheering as they get it back into the tank](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/22/13/85197849-13446875-image-a-23_1716379884599.jpg)
Staff members work to haul it back into the pen using a towel, with the crowd cheering as they get it back into the tank
The video, which was posted on TikTok last week, has sparked outrage online, garnering more than 45 million views.
One person commented: 'Such a cruel life for such beautiful creatures.'
Someone else added: 'I am sorry they do not belong in captivity. Beautiful dolphins.'
One person said: 'Dolphin shows must be stopped! They need to live in open ocean.'
'Maybe a sign these poor dolphins shouldn't be captive!!!' another viewer agreed.
Dolphins in captivity have shorter lifespans than their wild counterpart, who can live for more than 40 years.
The standard tank in a dolphinarium is around 200,000 times smaller than the natural space that dolphins live in, according to World Animal Protection.
It estimates that some 3,000 dolphins are held captive around the world as part of the multibillion-dollar dolphin tourism industry.