Controversial Florida Theme Park Will Sell Hundreds of Animals (Including Dolphins) in a Few Weeks

A controversial theme park company is seeking legal permission to quickly sell hundreds of marine mammals.

The Florida theme park scene isn’t short on controversy, from Walt Disney World Resort’s previous back-and-forth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to the impact of Blackfish on SeaWorld Orlando’s reputation.

Florida Theme Park Guests Turn Against Parks Keeping Marine Mammals In Captivity

In the years since Blackfish, theme park fans have become increasingly aware and critical of the ethical issues surrounding keeping marine mammals in captivity. For SeaWorld, much of this criticism has focused on its captive killer whales, with the orca Tilikum – who was linked to three human fatalities in his lifetime – serving as the focus of the documentary. However, both SeaWorld and other parks (Disney’s EPCOT included) have faced criticism for using the likes of dolphins, manatees, and other animals for entertainment.

Compared to Miami Seaquarium, however, the backlash around SeaWorld has been extremely minor in recent years. A lawsuit was previously filed against the park’s owner, The Dolphin Company, by Miami-Dade County after the park failed to vacate the premises after receiving a notice.

This followed a string of negative reports around the welfare and conditions of its animals. In early 2024, the park seemingly lost its American Humane Association certification. At least 120 dolphins and whales have died in captivity at the park over the years, according to the Dolphin Project – including Tokitae (AKA Lolita), the orca who passed away in 2023 just months after Miami Seaquarium announced plans to free her into an ocean pen.

Meanwhile, federal inspections by the USDA claimed that a dolphin was found with a two-inch nail in its throat, while another had a broken metal bolt in its mouth, and a sea lion with eye pain was denied surgery and refused to eat. Enclosures were found to contain mold and peeling paint, while the park’s veterinary lab was far from up to scratch and understaffed. The park was also at least $180,000 behind in rent.

It’s far from the only theme park to face such accusations under The Dolphin Company’s reign. Earlier this year, a fifth dolphin passed away at Gulf World Marine Park, leading to Florida Sen. Jay Trumbull calling for the immediate removal of all remaining dolphins from Gulf World Marine Park.

Since then, The Dolphin Company has filed for bankruptcy. What’s followed is a string of internal dramas, including the former CEO seizing control of its Mexican headquarters while accompanied by about 20 armed men.

The company has yet to confirm the arrangements for potential sales of its parks, but it has now confirmed its plans for its animals.

Florida Theme Parks Selling Their Animals

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein authorized two firms to start the sales process for The Dolphin Company, with the new owners claiming that sales of its animals could begin in just a few weeks.

Its animal inventory currently spans 295 dolphins, 51 sea lions, 18 manatees, and 18 seals across its 30 properties. “Certain animals are located at parks that may be closed as the debtors pursue a sale of their businesses,” its filing said. “The safety and humane treatment of these animals is paramount, and the cost of caring for such animals is exceedingly high while the debtors’ liquidity remains constrained.”

Miami Seaquarium is also home to sharks, rays, flamingos, penguins, tortoises, stingrays, and an array of tropical birds, such as macaws, cockatoos, Amazons, and African Greys. It’s not totally clear which parks or animals will be sold or when.

The new owners of the Florida theme park have insisted that animal safety is paramount. However, they have not revealed any details about specific plans for relocating their animals. Former trainers are concerned about the logistics. Shanna Simpson told WLRN that the judge involved would need to do their due diligence. “You have to have very experienced people doing these because, you know, they can be very stressful for the animals if they’re not done right,” she said. She also added that the current court process lacks an advocate for dolphins, sea lions, and seals.

In its motion, The Dolphin Company has cited its animals as “assets.” To be specific, it declared that “it is in the best interests of the debtors’ stakeholders to promptly sell the miscellaneous assets without the need for further notice, motions, hearings, and subsequent court approval.” It has also outlined a process that lets participants in the bankruptcy case object to any animal sale. However, if no objection is filed within a brief window, the transaction would proceed as planned.

Simpson called out the proceedings for considering the animals as assets. “These are real, live animals that have impacted millions of people in Miami-Dade,” she said.

A hearing on the animal sale motion is scheduled for July 23.

Have you ever visited one of The Dolphin Company’s theme parks?