Miami-Dade County is gearing up to serve a second Notice of Default to the Dolphin Company, operator of the Miami Seaquarium. Due to a notable deficiency of trained staff, as reported by Local 10 News. The latest wave of scrutiny comes in the wake of a USDA inspection on November 2, which highlighted that the Seaquarium is falling short in having a sufficient workforce adequately trained to take care of its marine animals.
The fallout from the resignation of the only veterinary technician at the Miami Seaquarium has stretched thin, leaving just two veterinarians to shoulder the responsibility for the well-being of 46 marine mammals alongside a diverse range of other wildlife. At the time of the USDA's inspection, none of the vacancies for veterinary technicians had been filled, leading to routine and preventive care for the animals being postponed for only sick and urgent cases.
In an email communication, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces declared, "The county will be treating the USDA’s Nov. 2 focused inspection report as a separate finding and will be issuing a new Notice of Default to the Dolphin Company," as stated by Local 10 News. This move is a clear signal of the county's resolve to address the issues of understaffing and animal welfare at the facility.
The response from Miami Seaquarium to the initial notice of being in violation of its lease was sent on December 5, according to a county spokesperson who noted that the Seaquarium contested the USDA’s findings. The county had previously given the facility a 45-day window beginning in early November to address the violations. The consequences of failing to meet this deadline remain uncertain, as discussed in a post by Until Lolita is Home.
Earlier in the year, Shedd Aquarium in Chicago stepped up to provide sanctuary for two dolphins from the Miami Seaquarium, which were living in conditions deemed insufficient. This action was taken under authorization from NOAA. In a related note of interest, though The Dolphin Company's CEO claimed on X, that the facility's orca, Lolita, was in peak health condition just days before her passing, a necropsy later revealed that she died from old age and chronic illnesses.
Thank you all the amazing people at @MiamiSeaquarium who are members of the care team of Lolita. All the trainers and vets have done an amazing job to bring Lolita in the best health condition on record for years. All proudly under the management of @TheDolphinCo_
— Eduardo Albor (@eduardoalbor) August 16, 2023
