A former veterinarian who once served the Miami Seaquarium is raising alarm over what she deems are egregious neglects at the attraction. According to a recent United States Department of Agriculture inspection report, the Seaquarium was cited for a series of violations, including but not limited to, deteriorating dolphin pools, bacteria-laden water, and the spread of black mold in the penguin enclosure, as detailed in a report obtained by NBC Miami.
"Miami Seaquarium needs to be shut down," Dr. Jenna Wallace, the former veterinarian, told NBC Miami. She expressed no shock at the USDA's conclusions, instead conveying frustration over the recurrent issues. "I don’t know how many more deaths or reports it’s going to take for that to happen," Wallace said. The facility was also spotlighted for having an insubstantial number of trained employees in the veterinary care department, heaping responsibility on the singular veterinarian tasked with overseeing an overwhelming number of animals.
Miami-Dade County has responded to this string of disturbing revelations by issuing two notices of default to the Miami Seaquarium, compelling action over more than $87,000 in unpaid rent. "Miami-Dade County shares the community’s concerns for the well-being of the animals at the Seaquarium," officials stated. The local government is in the midst of deliberating the necessary courses of action in response to the harrowing report released on November 28, 2023, which was shared with them at the same time as the wider community.
In December, the Seaquarium mourned the loss of Sundance, one of its long-time dolphin residents. The facility, presently under the management of The Dolphin Company, is facing scrutiny beyond the local county. As the executive director, Edwin Gonzalez, claimed to be in the process of recruiting to increase staff, critics keep mounting pressure, questioning the adequacy of current conditions for the animal inhabitants. Despite Gonzalez's reassurances of incremental improvements, Wallace’s comments, echoed by the specter of recent animal deaths including that of a beloved killer whale months earlier, cast a somber shadow on the Seaquarium's failings.
Neither the Seaquarium nor The Dolphin Company has offered in-depth commentary on the most recent USDA report. Instead, they have acknowledged receipt and promised further review. Meanwhile, the pressure from both former staff and the broader community suggests a growing impatience for substantive change, not merely more promises for future rectification.
