Violations, Eviction, Bankruptcy: Time is Running Out For Miami Seaquarium

By Christian Roldan

Park visitors exiting the Miami Seaquarium Courtsey of Marta Lavandier/AP

Over a year ago, Miami-Dade County began to take action on shutting down Miami Seaquarium. In a move that can be seen as a shift in consumer ethics, the county was responding to a damming report by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Key Biscayne park has had a history of controversy. Just the year before the report, Lolita (also known as Toki), the 57-year-old killer whale, tragically passed away despite the park announcing plans to release Lolita back into the ocean. Lolita’s sad fate ultimately may have a positive impact on the other animals in captivity, and that would be galvanizing the Miami community in ending the decade-long mistreatment of marine life. 

The 2024 USDA report proved that despite its nearly 70-year history, nothing has changed. The park is still riddled with severe lapses in animal care practices. Dolphin pools in disarray, severely ill marine animals, and excessive rust found in metal enclosures. These are all just some examples of the disheartening violations that were reported by the USDA last year. This was enough to get the ball rolling for the county to finally act on shutting down the marine park. Within a few months, Miami Seaquarium, the parent company Dolphin Company, was ordered to vacate the premises. After not complying, the eviction notice was given in March of last year. 

Lolita/Toki, the late killer whale at Miami Seaquarium Courtesy of Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images

The gross incompetence of the company goes beyond not providing adequate care for the animals, it also involves negligent corner-cutting. Revealed last year, the company lost its American Humane Association certification, another lease condition that was broken. The facility also deliberately chose not to renew its International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association accreditation for its trainers, something that the company used to boast about. The significance of this is that it allows for the park to bypass an International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association inspection.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stated that the reported violations from the USDA constitute a violation of the terms and conditions of the lease agreement with the county. Miami-Dade County is now trying to terminate this lease and shut down Miami Seaquarium. What follows is legal battle after legal battle. Initially, Dolphin Company sought to fight the eviction in court. Dolphin Company is suing the county, $35 million in damages, and they are claiming the eviction is being forced without a lawful plan for the animals. However, now that the company has declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, things are complicated. Despite having concerns and priority for the animals, Levine Cava believes that the bankruptcy hearings will take precedence over the eviction case.

Regardless of legal proceedings and formalities, Dolphin Company will face an uphill battle. Miami Seaquarium was established in 1955, with Lolita introduced in 1970. Back when introducing an orca to marine parks was the hottest thing. That was 50 years ago; times are different now, and consumers have changed. The growing desire to shut down Miami Seaquarium can be representative of the change in consumer ethics. More people are becoming educated on the ethics and problems with keeping these marine animals in captivity. This rising belief has worked in tandem with clear evidence of mistreatment and tragedy. It has aided in accelerating the process of shutting down the Key Biscayne park.  

Despite any fond memories some may have of the park, the truth is that the marine park's legacy will be one of negligence and abuse of marine life. Animal rights activist Hilda Cummings put it bluntly, “It is time to shut them down…too many animals are suffering, too many animals have died.” Now, we simply wait and see where these legal battles go; the future of Miami Seaquarium looks grim, and the end may be near, but it could be a beginning for the animals in captivity.