Protect the animals and their caregivers at Miami Seaquarium
Grouper fish in turbid water with cloudy cornea, photo taken January 17th, 2024 at Miami Seaquarium
Update September 13, 2024
A status conference is hereby SET for September 13, 2024, at 11:00 am before the undersigned at the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Courthouse, Courtroom 11-4, 400 North Miami Avenue, Miami, Florida 33128. Signed by Judge Jacqueline Becerra on 9/6/2024.
Update August 28, 2024
New documents reveal veterinarian was treating Tokitae without a valid Florida veterinary license.
See the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Investigative Report, and the dismissal of the case.
These findings are shocking given that they found the veterinarian was practicing without a license.
Doug Hanks Tweets: “Eviction case of Miami Seaquarium in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court on track to go into mediation. Both sides (Seaquarium and county) agree to negotiate to pick a mutually acceptable mediator or ask judge to appoint one.”
Update August 3-5, 2024
Current inventory and status of animals at Miami Seaquarium listed with the most recent deaths first. This spreadsheet was compiled from NOAA’s Marine Mammal Inventory Reports.
Ace, Miami Seaquarium’s Sea Lion is sick
Rumors that workers are capturing fish and donating them to Miami Seaquarium to restock their tanks.
New footage from Miami Seaquarium shows a rusted transport truck with bald tires, a newly painted penguin facility.
Update 7.29.2024:
MS Leisure Corporation/The Dolphin Company responds to Miami-Dade County’s Eviction
Update 7.19.2024:
We can confirm that Miami Seaquarium dolphins Calypso (ID# MSTt1401) and Mia (ID# MSTt2001) have been transferred to Marineland, another aquarium owned by The Dolphin Company. They may end up going to Gulfworld.
NOAA’s list of all marine mammals in captivity.
Update 6.25.2024:
Miami Seaquarium’s 10-year-old Sea Lion, Berkeley, Dies
Miami-Dade County Files Legal Action to Officially Evict MS Leisure Company
We wanted to make you aware of the passing of Berkeley, Miami Seaquarium’s 10-year-old sea lion on June 19th, of a septic abdomen related to a ruptured ulcer. Word of his death has been shared by sources who wish to remain anonymous. Ulcers are uncommon in sea lions and caretakers are suggesting it could be related to chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and/or corticosteroids.
Our Honor has also received numerous documents via public records requests from Miami-Dade County showing a long track record of non-compliance by Miami Seaquarium, including sewage non-compliance and violations that could affect the animal and environmental health via poor water quality, as well as aggressive emails (another) sent by The Dolphin Company President, Eduardo Albor, and deceptive emails by Edwin Gonzalez, mischaracterizing the veterinary staff available to care for the animals. Additionally, notification to the county of the death of Bud the sea lion, who died on March 28th, was delayed until April 4th.
Concerningly, District 7 Commissioner Raquel Regalado requested a legislative hold on the termination of Miami Seaquarium’s lease, which may be the reason why the Mayor has failed to officially file the eviction months (191 days from the December 16th date of the first notice of default) after she could have.
Dr. Crystal Heath, Executive Director of the veterinary advocacy group Our Honor says, “I am glad the eviction was finally filed. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava can still seize the animals before they are transported to other facilities owned by the company and before another animal dies.” Florida Statute 828.122 provides that when a court finds probable cause of abuse of any animal, the court shall order the confiscation of the animal. Under 828.073, any law enforcement officer or animal control officer can remove animals found neglected or cruelly treated or place them in protective custody at the Miami Seaquarium and compel The Dolphin Company to adequately care for the animals until they are relocated to better facilities.
Timeline of events:
January 9, 2024 — USDA Inspection Report — Problems with penguin facility, dolphin harbor, perimeter fence, tropical wings and, “The facility is still struggling with coliform counts that are excessively high, well over 1,000 Most Probable Number (MPN) in sea lion holding pools in Golden Dome, specifically GD 4. When the numbers are this high, divers are not permitted to dive and clean pools; the pools must be dropped to bring numbers back to safe levels…High counts of coliform bacteria in the environments of marine mammals pose a risk to the health of these animals. The facility must maintain water quality which is not detrimental to the health and the well-being of the animals and must ensure that appropriate and effective corrective and preventive actions are taken when high coliform counts, or other water quality concerns are detected.”
January 12, 2024 — USDA Inspection Report — “…staff members confided in inspectors that what they stated on camera was not the whole truth as they were not comfortable to be forthcoming with all the relevant details. The facility CEO stated that if the employees wanted to speak to USDA alone, the employee would have to come to management and inform them beforehand. Delaying the inspection process and eliciting fear and intimidation towards facility employees interferes with APHIS officials’ abilities to assess a facility’s compliance with the Animal Welfare Act as inspectors require truthful answers from employees regarding the health and welfare of a facility’s animals.”
January 17, 2024 - USDA Inspection Report — “The licensee, MS Leisure Company, Inc., has failed to furnish their Attending Veterinarian (AV) the appropriate facilities, personnel, equipment, and services to provide adequate veterinary care to the animals currently under their stewardship. There are several animals deemed critical by the AV that require medical treatments, diagnostic evaluations, and medical procedures that are not being provided to alleviate suffering...Per facility representative conversations, the AV was on scheduled leave last weekend, and despite having two critical animal health cases, the facility failed to have a veterinarian on site. Instead, the facility requested that veterinarian located approximately 3 hours away be on call and also kept the AV on call as a back-up. The facility has failed to provide adequately trained personnel, equipment, facilities and services for the aforementioned animals requiring specialized veterinary care. A single veterinarian without sufficient staff and resources cannot effectively address the complex and increasingly deteriorating conditions of these six critical animals nor address routine medical issues that occur day to day with the remaining 42 marine mammals, 47 birds and reptiles, fish, sharks and rays the licensee maintains at the park.”
January 17, 2024 — Advisory Letter sent to Catalino “Pete” Santiago of Miami Seaquarium reminding them that the next Sewer System Evaluation Survey Report was due no later than March 1, 2024.
Related Documents:
August 15, 2013 - SSES Report identified areas in need of repairs
July 17, 2015 - Sanitary Sewer System Evaluation Survey shows it “not in compliance”
January 17th, 2024 – Dr. Crystal Heath visits Miami Seaquarium and sends a Letter to the State Attorney, Letter to the Miami-Dade Police , Letter to the Miami Police , Letter to the Mayor , Letter to the Commissioners regarding the animal welfare concerns found.
January 18, 2024 — Anthony Escarrá, Esq. Deputy Chief of Staff Office of Commissioner Raquel Regalado, District 7 “The commissioner would like a legislative hold on the termination of the seaquarium lease. I’m not sure if our previous requests encompassed this if not please expand. Thank you”. [The motivations for this request need to be further interrogated by journalists]
—Related emails regarding the legislative tracking of this
—January 19th, Task Request
—January 18th, Melanie Spencer email
January 18, 2024 — Edwin Gonzalez of The Dolphin Company sends an email the Mayor Levine-Cava and several other Miami-Dade officials, CCing Eduardo Albor and attorney Michelle Pardo saying, “We understand that you were made aware of the USDA inspections of our facility from January 9 thru 12, and another inspection that started January 17. As you know, we were provided with an Inspection Report on Friday, January 12, 2024 (which contained several noncompliances) and we are still awaiting an Inspection Report for the January 17 inspection. As per USDA procedure, an Inspection Report is not public and is not final agency action until the conclusion of an appeal. This is to provide the licensee with due process to correct the record and/or challenge any findings. Miami Seaquarium has 21 days from delivery date to appeal an Inspection Report…” Jimmy Morales, Chief Operations Officer, forwards the email on to the Mayor and others saying, “FYI. A preemptive letter from The Dolphin Company.”
January 21, 2021 - Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sends a letter to Eduardo Albor, President of the Dolphin Company, titled “RE: Notice of Advisement - Termination of Lease Review Property Address” saying:
We are in frequent communication with the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”), which has documented and brought to our attention multiple and repeated instances of animal welfare violations. Despite these infractions, the Lessee has failed to promptly rectify these matters, culminating in the issuance of a Notice of Intent to Confiscate four animals by the USDA. I’ve been informed that this confiscation is the first time in 30 years that the USDA has taken such a measure with marine mammals. This underscores the gravity of the situation and cannot be taken lightly, and the County will take all possible measures in coordination with the USDA to ensure the welfare of the animals at the Seaquarium.
The County views these repeated violations not only as a breach of the terms and conditions outlined in the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement but, more critically, as a failure to uphold the requirement to maintain the animals in accordance with federal laws. The welfare of these animals is paramount, and any compromise in their care is a direct contravention of our shared commitment to their well-being.
January 25, 2024 — Notice of Non-Compliance sent to Eduardo Albor from Perry Perez saying, “According to our records, as of this writing, the Seaquarium is in arrears to the County in the minimum amount of $87,916.66, representing the past due December 2023 base rent payment.” (Related email)
January 26, 2024 — Email from Christina Salinas Cotter Assistant Director, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces saying, “FYI. The attached Notice of Non-Compliance was issued yesterday to Dolphin Company for failure to pay December rent timely.”
January 30, 2024 — USDA Inspection Report — Issues with pengiun housing, golden dome and tropical wings section.
February 1, 2024 — Edwin Gonzalez sends an email titled “Q4 2023 Animal Welfare Update,” saying, “Hi Chirsitna, Attached is the MSQ Animal Welfare Update you requested. Please let me know if you have any questions.” Christina Salinas Cotter, Assistant Director, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, forwards the email on to Miami-Dade officials saying, “Attached is the recent quarter animal welfare plan update from Seaquarium. Perry/Erik – please review and provide any comments. I believe that they have more species of animals than what they are including in the report. Thanks.”
An email dated February 2, 2024, from Andrew Scullion reads, “This letter from the Mayor however has affected their moral heavily, and they are confused, disappointed, and concerned by the statements, perceptions, accusations, and impressions this letter gives to the public. The statements written have been both a professionally and personally demoralizing blow to their tireless work and dedication they give to Miami Seaqaurium and the work and effort they give to the animals.”
February 13, 2024 - Erik Austin, Special Projects Administrator, Contracts Management Division Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department “Please see the attached document containing a new USDA report that was just released today. This is from the routine inspection conducted on 1/09/2024 at MSQ.” (Jan 9th Inspection Report)
On February 14, 2024, Eduardo Albor sent an email to the Office of the Mayor and County officials, angry about the public release of a USDA Inspection Report saying, “I have to inform you THERE WAS NOT SUCH CONFISCATION OF ANIMALS as I it looks you took for granted based on information illegally you happen to to receive from USDA as the notice of confiscation was definitive A PRIVATE DOCUMENT, USDA should not have shared to our Landlord, neither Landlord shouñd have requeste. neither made public creating a misunderstanding to the people and sending to the media a wrongful message.” He adds, “Whoever shared this information from USDA, as you expressed, in your letter was a severe violation against our constitutional right of due process, as much as you, making public some information still remained private even to our landlord Miami Dade County. You sworn on November 17th 2020 to fulfill your obligations under the law and, making public a private information discrediting MSQ and The Dolphin Company by making public your letter, as Landlord was also something inappropriate, especially making it public while still was private.”
February 16-18, 2024 - Dr. Crystal Heath once again visits the Miami Seaquarium to document the conditions. (videos available here, send a message if you can’t access)
February 21, 2024 — (11:49 am) Email exchange between Perry Perez and Edwin Gonzalez about the denial of a permit for a wedding to be held at Sunset Cove
On February 22, 2024 — Andrew Scullion, Chief Animal Care/Training Officer Miami Seaquarium for the Dolphin Company sends an email to Mayor Levine Cava saying, “I am writing to you regarding the recent communication from the Mayor/City and County of Miami, dated January 21, 2024, titled "Notice of Advisement - Termination of Lease Review.” Adding “…With all due respect, In my 30 years as a professional animal care specialist, working for and with some of the most respected marine animal facilities/companies in the industry, I have never encountered such acoordinated onslaught of prejudiced and purposely distorted judgment towards an individual facility. The lack of due diligence and fairness exhibited in both accusation and judgment is both surprising and deeply disappointing.”
On February 29th, 2024, Bridget Lowe, Environmental Specialist at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, said in an email, “We received the attached complaint from the Inspector General about a potential sewage leak from the Miami Seaquarium into Biscayne Bay, specifically coordinates, 25°43’53.0"N 80°09’56.0"W. Will you please assist us in investigating the potential discharge?” (Image of the leak location attached)
JoAnne Clingerman, Manager of the Code Enforcement section of the Miami-Dade County Regulatory and Economic Resources and the Miami-Dade Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), says, “I just looked in our electronic document system and found the attached Advisory Letter issued on January 17, 2024. Miami Seaquarium holds a PSO permit with DERM, and they are required to submit an SSES report by March 1, 2024.”
March 2024 Certified Letter sent about pump at sanitary sewer pump station out of service/missing, missing vent, missing access lid hinges, lid that does not meet PSO permit conditions
March 1, 2024 - Field Notice Violation
On March 2nd, The Intercept reported on the stories of former Miami Seaquarium staff discussing the animal welfare concerns as well as the bullying and retaliation staff faced for voicing those concerns.
March 4, 2024 - Emails regarding Miami Seaquarium Sewage Leak
March 4, 2024 - Warning notice sent to Edwin Gonzalez “RE: Second Cycle Sewer System Evaluation Survey (SSES) for the Sanitary Sewer Collection System located at
MS LEISURE CO DBA MIAMI SEAQUARIUM located at 4400 Rickenbaker CSWY, MIAMI, FL 33149 (folio no. 30-4220-000-0010) PSO-0895.” Saying, “Be advised that failure to comply with the above may result in the issuance of a Uniform Civil Violation Notice (UCVN)
pursuant to Chapter 8CC, Miami-Dade County Code, which requires you to correct the violation(s) and carries a mandatory civil penalty.”
March 4, 2024 - Field Notice to Correct a Sanitary Nuisance
March 5, 2024 - Email from Anthony Escarrá, Esq. Deputy Chief of Staff to Miami-Dade Officials, “Commissioner Regalado would like a hold on all things Seaquarium.” (Related email)
March 5, 2024 - Perry Perez emails about Miami Seaquarium Sewage Leak saying, “Melanie, this is another example of the Seaquarium’s technical non-compliance with the lease (potentially Sections 11, 27.A , 28, and 29).”
March 5, 2024 - USDA Inspection Report reads, “The penguin building and indoor enclosure are still not in good repair. The ceiling inside the enclosure has multiple areas of sagging, peeling paint. Rust like stains run down the walls from numerous screws and several patches of round, black, mold-like substance can be observed diffusely across the ceiling…The facility failed to use appropriate methods to control disease. On February 23, 2024, Monty, a blue and gold macaw was confirmed positive for Pacheco’s disease via serology and choanal/cloacal swab. At the time of inspection, Monty was observed on exhibit with other birds in the facilities flock. Pacheco’s disease is a highly infectious and deadly bird disease. Exposure to infected birds can lead to the spread of the disease to other birds. Each exhibitor shall establish and maintain programs of adequate veterinary care that include appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose, and treat diseases. To be corrected immediately, March, 7, 2024. The facility still needs to make repairs to the perimeter fence. Many support beams are still rusted through at the base and are no longer connected to the concrete and require prompt attention to maintain the structural integrity of the fencing in this section. Areas at the base of the fence have gaps and are not continuous with the floor…In the Tropical Wings section, there are areas of flaking paint under metal cone shade structures where birds have pecked. The higher placed perches allow larger birds to have access to the bottom lip of the painted cones. Additionally, about six of the metal enclosures used to house the birds when they are off display have areas of bubbling and flaking paint due to rust and areas where the metal is rusted through. Excessive rust can compromise structural strength, present roughened and jagged surfaces where it is possible for the birds to injure themselves and prevent proper cleaning and sanitization of a surface.”
March 6th, 2024 - Task Request Re: Miami Seaquarium
March 6th, 2024 — Miami-Dade Pollution Prevention Field Notice — Inspection on March 1, 2024 revealed violations.
March 7th, 2024 - Erik Austin, Special Projects Administrator, Contracts Management Division
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department sends out an email about the new USDA Inspection Report (Jan 30th) that was just released.
March 7th, 2024 Miami-Dade County sent a notice of Termination of the Lease and Additional Notices of Defaults. Jimmy Morales email to Eduardo Albor.
March 10th, 2024 —Jess McCarty, Executive Assistant to the County Attorney sends an email to District 1 officials and the County Attorney’s Office officials saying, “Chairman Gilbert is requesting legislation relating to the redevelopment of the Seaquarium property. Please assist Jose with this request. We appear to have a prior pending request for this legislation, please advise Jose of options available to proceed.” (Another email) (Task email)
March 11th, 2024 - Edwin Gonzalez of Miami Seaquarium responds saying, “Attached to this email, you will find our detailed response with photos and exhibits, which we trust will clarify our position and demonstrate the proactive steps we have taken to adhere to our lease obligations and regulatory requirements. It is our sincere belief that the grounds for lease termination, as outlined in your notice, do not accurately reflect the reality of our efforts and achievements in these areas.”
March 13, 2024 - Edwin Gonzalez, Executive Director of USA Parks Miami Seaquarium/The Dolphin Company writes a response to the Miami Herald editorial published on March 11, 2024, “The Seaquarium won’t go without a fight. But its time is already past.” The email is sent to Mayor Daniela Levine Cava and she forwards it to Miami-Dade officials. In the email, Gonzalez says, “It's reassuring to know that we have the full support of our parent company's head of veterinary services and more than 30 veterinarians.” However, only Dr. Dawn Stokka and Dr. Michelle Schisa at Gulf World (9 hours away) are the only licensed veterinarians in the United States. Dr. Dawn Stokka is in charge of three parks, Miami Seaquarium, The Dolphin Connection and Marineland.
March 15th, 2024 - Julie Wignall, the original Designer/Creator/Director of The Mirage Dolphin Habitat (later including the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy), sends an email to the mayor saying:
…I am well acquainted with many of the issues facing the Miami Seaquarium as well as the short time frame for action due to recent events. As a consultant, I have worked with numerous companies and their animal facilities, turning around crisis situations while creating strong, positive futures that benefit all project stakeholders. I would like to see the Miami Seaquarium reclaim its position as a flagship facility for the Miami-Dade County, while setting new examples for the world. I would welcome the opportunity to further explore how to spearhead positive efforts for the future.
March 19, 2024 - USDA Inspection report reads, “The indoor enclosure housing 9 penguins has not been kept in good repair. The ceiling of the enclosure has multiple areas of sagging, peeling paint as well as spots of black growth. There are also rust like stains running down the walls from screws in the enclosure… On 3/10/2024, “Cayman” a dolphin housed at Dolphin Harbor, mouthed a guest’s leg during an interaction in the water. Inadequate handling or control of animals during public interactions can lead to injury of the public and the animals. During public exhibition, any animal must be handled so there is minimal risk of harm to the animal and to the public. The facility has enacted a behavioral plan for this dolphin…There is an area on the Golden Dome stage that is not in good repair. On the stairs that lead to the elevated platform, there is a spot where the floor covering has come away from the wooden board beneath. The wooden surface is rough to the touch and splinters easily. The day before, inspectors witnessed a sea lion using these stairs during a show. Rough surfaces can cause harm or injury to the animals as they move across them. Outdoor housing facilities for marine mammals must be structurally sound and must be maintained in good repair to protect the animals from injury. In the Tropical Wings and Education Center areas, there are 3 outdoor, off-exhibit parrot enclosures that show evidence of rust. There are areas of bubbling and flaking paint due to rust and areas where the metal is rusted through. Rust can compromise structural strength, present roughened and jagged surfaces where it is possible for the birds to injure themselves, and prevent proper cleaning and sanitization of a surface. Any surfaces that come in contact with the birds must be free of rust or damage that affects the structural integrity of the surface or prevents cleaning. In the outdoor perching area of Tropical Wings, one perch with a parrot had numerous loose strands of twine-like string falling from it. Perching that is not maintained appropriately can cause injury to the bird. To be corrected by March 29, 2024.”
March 20, 2024 — Perry Perez sends an letter to Eduardo Albor titled, “RE: Notice of Non-Compliance: Late Payments” saying, “According to our records, as of this writing, the Seaquarium is in arrears to the County in the minimum amount of $87,916.66, representing the past due February 2024 base rent payment.” (Email that included the attached letter)
March 22, 2024 - Lorena Guerra-Macias Interim Assistant Director Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces sends a letter to Dr. Anna Bagwell Acting Director, Animal Welfare Operations United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service saying, “Thank you for your valued partnership with Miami-Dade County as our teams continue to work together to review the ongoing operations of the Miami Seaquarium. I am reaching out to respectfully request official copies of the USDA’s Notice of Intent to Confiscate dated on or about January 19, 2024 and the USDA’s preliminary Inspection Reports for the site visits conducted during the months of February and March 2024.”
March 28th, 2024 – Bud the Sealion Dies
On April 2nd, Chief, Contracts & Procurement Divison of Miami Dade County, Perry Perez sent an email to Miami Seaquarium’s Edwin Gonzalez asking, “Would you be so kind as to provide an update on the health of Bud the sea lion? This is the sea lion noted by Christina and Heather at last week’s visit. Thank you.”
On April 2nd, Gonzalez responded, “I am waiting on the attorney to respond.”
On April 4th, Perez asked for another update, and Gonzalez responded, “Attached is MSQ rent payments and quarterly reports (including sea lion's up date in the animal welfare report).”
The attached animal welfare report explains that Bud the Sea Lion was euthanized on March 28th and Dr. Dawn Stokka became the Attending veterinarian on March 1, 2024. The report describes the health conditions of various animals, but no names are used.
On April 4, 2024 — Edwin Gonzalez sent an email titled “Miami Seaquarium - Comprehensive Update on Corrective Actions and Plan” to Mayor Levine Cava, as well as Florida Senators and representatives saying, “In fact, on March 27, 2024, Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Christina Salina Cotter, Assistant Director of MDC PROS and Gwen Myers, Zoo Miami, Chief Veterinarian were on-site doing inspections and witnessed first-hand our corrective actions. Also, March 19, 2024, Erik Autin, Special Projects Administrator, Contract Management Division of Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department also visited for an inspection and witnessed first-hand our corrective actions.” (Formal pdf version of the email)
—However, on May 9th, 2024, Dr. Gwen Myers of Zoo Miami filed a Declaration in support of the County’s response opposing MS Leisure Corporation’s motion for a temporary restraining order, citing:
Animals in distress
Lack of adequate veterinary staffing
Lack of essential veterinary equipment
Poor water quality
Sick and/or injured animals
Animals without sufficient needs e.g. parrot without water
Extremely high numbers of invasive species such as iguanas
Seaquarium staff supporting and condoning feral cats
Poor sanitation and mold in enclosures
Peeling paint within animal holding spaces
Large amount of rust within animal holding spaces
Evidence of animal access to unsafe structures and potential foreign body ingestion. For example, zip ties at Dolphin Harbor and submerged boardwalk with nails at the Flipper Stadium
On April 4, 2024, Albor sent another angry email to the Mayor’s office asking why their weekly meetings were suspended.
Emails sent between April 4-11th by Miami-Dade County Officials discussing the letter of the Notice of Default to be sent to the Miami Seaquarium. (Approved)
On April 11, 2024, Perry Perez sent an email to Eduardo Albor titled “Subject: Second Notice of Additional Defaults” with this official letter attached.
April 11, 2024 — Edwin Gonzalez sends an email to Perry Perez asking, “Hi Erik and Perry,
Are we having a meeting today at 04;00 PM” To which Perez replies, “Good afternoon, Edwin:
No meeting is scheduled for today, thank you.”
On April 16, 2024, Perry Perez sent a notice to Eduardo Albor titled “RE: Notice of Non-Compliance: Late Payments” reading, “According to our records, as of this writing, the Seaquarium is in arrears to the County in the minimum amount of $87,916.66, representing the past due March 2024 base rent payment.”
On April 17th, USDA Inspection reports were finally released, foreshadowing the untimely death of Bud the ailing Sea Lion saying, “the veterinary staff is unable to maintain the proper level of care to relieve this animal from suffering, and this lapse may ultimately lead to his death.” — Jan. 17, 2024 USDA Inspection Report and a January 12, 2024 USDA Inspection report told of how the staff were being intimidated by the Miami Seaquarium Managers into silence saying, “…facility staff appeared uncomfortable…staff members confided in inspectors that what they stated on camera was not the whole truth.”
April 21, 2024 – Date The Dolphin Company was ordered to vacate Miami Seaquarium.
April 22, 2024: Dr. Crystal Heath visits Miami Seaquarium again and is escorted out by security. Her annual pass is taken away after she documents repetitive behavior by a parrot and speaks about it to the media.
April 30, 2024: Focused USDA Inspection says, “No non-compliant items identified during this inspection. This inspection and exit interview were conducted with facility representatives.”
May 9, 2024: Miami-Dade County issues amotion to dismiss Miami Seaquarium’s lawsuit and announces that “the County will, shortly, be filing an eviction action in Florida state court to perfect its claim to take back the leasehold.” This is 146 days since they could have filed such an eviction action.
Update 5.9.2024: Miami-Dade County issues a motion to dismiss Miami Seaquarium’s lawsuit and announces that “the County will, shortly, be filing an eviction action in Florida state court to perfect its claim to take back the leasehold.” This is 146 days since they could have filed such an eviction action.
Our Honor receives 17 files from NOAA in response to our FOIA. See those files here:
File 1 File 2 File 3 File 4 File 5 - much redacted due to attorney/client privilege File 6 - screen shots from private whatsapp chat File 7 - marine mammal data sheet on Bud the Sea Lion File 8 - 2022 discussion of declining health of Toki and plans for her death File 9 - Dr. Jenna Wallace sends NOAA a letter critical of veterinarians with screenshots from a private whatsapp chat, Toki dies and Ruth Ewing to be at University of Georgia necropy File 10 File 11 File 12 File 13 File 14 File 15 File 16 File 17
——-
Update January 17th, 2024
Dear veterinarians, veterinary professionals, and animal lovers,
As the Executive Director of Our Honor, a non-profit that supports veterinarians and veterinary professionals who suffer harassment and retaliation for voicing ethical concerns, I have received numerous reports from former veterinarians and animal care staff about the poor conditions at Miami Seaquarium. Concerns and violations have also been well documented by recent USDA inspections. It is clear The Dolphin Company's culture of disrespect for the veterinary staff, retaliation against those who voice concerns, insufficient staffing levels to care for the number of animals, and failure to pay delinquent debts have led to animals being deprived of sufficient shelter, sufficient sustenance, thus creating conditions for ongoing torment in violation of Florida's animal cruelty laws.
I visited the Miami Seaquarium on January 17th, 2024, and took photos and videos documenting multiple instances of inadequate housing and husbandry, as well as conditions that lead to ongoing physical and mental suffering that constitute torment. A colleague also visited on February 2nd, 2024, again documenting ongoing concerning conditions.
Attached is a statement outlining our concerns with links to the obtained photos and videos that were reviewed by more than a dozen veterinarians. I am encouraging law enforcement, including the state attorney, to pursue legal action against The Dolphin Company in order to ensure the animals are placed in protective custody at AZA-accredited facilities to ensure the animals receive the housing and care they need.
We have many volunteer veterinarians on standby who are also able to assist if needed.
Would you please sign onto our statement and share this information with your veterinarian?
Letter to the Miami-Dade Police
Click the image to download a high-quality, printable PDF version of this flyer. Please help us spread awareness by printing and distributing them widely at veterinary hospitals, restaurants, gyms, and other businesses!
