Time ’s up for one of the oldest oceanariums in the US . On March 7 , authorities served eviction papers to the owners of Miami Seaquarium , a park steeped in controversy by damning reports into the concern of itsmarine residentsand the result overplus of animal deaths .
In astatementposted to social media platform X , Miami - Dade County city manager Daniella Levine Cava explain how The Dolphin Company , which owns the park , had “ repeatedly fallen short of meeting the contractual responsibility of their lease . ”
“ From fail to maintain the premiss in skillful condition , to failing to prove that they can ensure the safety and welfare of the animals under their care , the current state of the Miami Seaquarium is unsustainable and insecure , ” Levine Cava added .
Miami Seaquarium first opened its door back in 1955 , and the stick to 68 years have been no stranger to critique about its beast charge . Its very first orca , Hugo , died from a mental capacity aneurysm after repeatedly hitting his head against the bulwark of the army tank , and according to theDolphin Project , at least 120 whales and dolphins have die at the oceanarium to escort .
However , much of the aid the commons received was directed towards the continued captivity of orca Lolita – also have it away as Tokitae or Toki – who spend 53 year living in a storage tank at the oceanarium , with many call into question her living shape . curtly before she was due to bereleasedback into the wild , the orcadiedfrom a suspected renal condition . A docudrama highlight Lolita ’s story is typeset to debut next month at theMiami Film Festival .
Recent years have also seen scathing unfavorable judgment at the Union level . In areportfrom the United States Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published last yr , the Miami Seaquarium was found to have inadequate animal maintenance .
The report noted several incidents , including a dolphin with a nail in its throat , another getting kicked in the back talk by a member of the public , and a sea lion refusing to corrode after delayed surgery led to continued centre botheration .
Unsurprisingly , Thursday ’s news has been welcomed by brute wellbeing organizations .
“ At long last , authorities are taking activity against the persistent creature wellbeing violation at Miami Seaquarium , ” Dr Naomi Rose , older scientist in marine mammal biology for the Animal Welfare Institute ’s Marine Life Program , told theAssociated Press .
“ This run - down quickness has been a blight on Miami for too long . We hope the zoo and aquarium residential area abuse up to the plate to ensure all of the animals – the mammals , birds , Pisces – find satisfactory homes in US facilities . ”
On that point , Levine Cava say : “ Our main priority continues to be the prophylactic and eudaimonia of the animals . With this significant stair taken , I am hopeful that we can move ahead and ensure a safer , healthy , better future for these animals . ”
