The Miami Seaquarium in Florida, one of the oldest marine parks in the United States, closed its doors on Sunday after more than 70 years in operation.
The attraction was once popular but faced growing criticism over its treatment of animals in recent years.
The closure comes after the park lost its lease and its parent company filed for bankruptcy. The site will be turned into a new, modern aquarium that will no longer keep marine animals.
Dolphins and seals to be relocated
More than 40 animals are currently kept at the Miami Seaquarium. There are 16 dolphins, around 24 seals and sea lions, birds and reptiles. These animals must now be moved to new facilities.
Officials have promised that the animals will only be sent to licensed and accredited sanctuaries or zoos. However, the process could take months, especially for older animals or those with health issues.
Some animals may temporarily be housed at Zoo Miami or other nearby facilities while long-term homes are found. A few birds and reptiles may remain on-site, depending on the plans for the new aquarium.
Animals trapped in closed marine parks
In 2021, France passed a law banning the use of marine animals in entertainment and captive breeding. In 2024, Marineland Antibes, a marine park in the south of France, closed its doors.
While many of its animals have been relocated, orcas Wikie, her son Keijo, and twelve dolphins remain in deteriorating tank conditions within the now-closed facility.
France’s Inspectorate for Ecological Biodiversity (IGEDD) published a report exploring the options for the orcas and dolphins still at Marineland Antibes.
It concluded that only the Nova Scotia sanctuary project, supported by the Whale Sanctuary Project, meets the criteria in terms of technical quality, feasibility on time and financial sustainability.
The park is owned by Parques Reunidos, a global amusement park operator with 57 locations worldwide. Animal welfare organizations have repeatedly criticized the company for keeping animals in dirty tanks and failing to provide adequate care.
In August, photojournalist Seph Lawless documented the horrible conditions in which the orcas are kept.
Marineland, Canada
Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, officially closed to the public in 2024 after years of controversy over animal welfare.
At present, dozens of beluga whales and other marine mammals remain in captivity at the site. The park requested export permits to move its remaining 30 belugas to China, but the Canadian government denied the request over animal welfare concerns.
Without approved relocation plans and facing financial strain, Marineland has warned that it will kill some whales unless it receives government support.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: theanimalreader.com
