A dolphin with long-term health issues has passed away at the Miami Seaquarium, as confirmed by Miami-Dade County officials yesterday, in news that has brought focus back onto the troubled history of the marine park and the wellbeing of its captive animals. The deceased dolphin, believed to be Bimini, was 22 years old according to the NBC Miami report, although former employees have contended the dolphin was actually four years older, 26, which underscores the ongoing concerns about the care offered at the facility.
Daniel Wehking, a lawyer and former caretaker at the attraction, stated that under the management of The Dolphin Company, Bimini suffered a range of injuries, including rib fractures and breathing problems, the latter requiring a procedure that the owners reportedly would not finance despite the USDA being notified of the dolphin's critical state, insufficient care has led to a string of issues at the Seaquarium detailed in reports as far back as February 7, 2024, by Local 10 News. Additionally, this death is not isolated; it follows a pattern of fatalities including Sundance the dolphin and Sushi the sea lion, deaths intertwined with claims of reduced food allocations and "inadequate" veterinary care highlighted in a federal investigation, as Dr. Jenna Wallace, a former veterinarian at the facility, told Local 10 News.
The park's current precarious financial state has stirred further apprehensions, with The Dolphin Company recently declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which has sparked debate over the implications for the Seaquarium's remaining animals. Tricia Nicewicz, an attorney and former Seaquarium employee, expressed fears regarding the welfare of older, ill, and non-breeding animals, hinting at a potential disregard for their well-being as they may be considered liabilities on the company's balance sheet. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County, having been unsuccessful in its attempt to evict the Seaquarium over unpaid rent last November, has been clear in expressing discontent, with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava citing a "long and troubling history of violations" in a lease termination notice directed at the CEO of The Dolphin Company, as per the NBC Miami report.
