A legal firestorm surrounding one of the world’s largest marine entertainment companies has put nearly 400 animals — including dolphins, manatees, and sea lions — on the brink of relocation.
As Florida’s theme park industry continues to wrestle with growing public scrutiny, The Dolphin Company, owner of Miami Seaquarium and Gulf World Marine Park, is facing a reckoning that extends far beyond court filings and bankruptcy proceedings.
The company has now confirmed plans to sell off its animal inventory.
From Animal Welfare to Bankruptcy Hearings
Years of allegations and federal violations culminated in 2024 with the Miami Seaquarium losing its American Humane Association certification and becoming the subject of multiple USDA inspection reports. Incidents cited included a dolphin found with a two-inch nail in its throat, another with a broken metal bolt in its mouth, and a sea lion in chronic pain who was denied surgery. Inspectors also noted mold, peeling paint, and an understaffed veterinary lab.
The Seaquarium has long been under fire from animal rights activists, especially after the 2023 death of Tokitae (also known as Lolita), an orca that had lived in captivity for decades and died just months after a planned release into a sea pen. In total, more than 120 marine mammals have died at the park, according to the nonprofit group Dolphin Project.
But the Seaquarium is not the only Dolphin Company-owned facility facing criticism. Five dolphins have died at Gulf World Marine Park, prompting Florida Sen. Jay Trumbull to publicly call for the removal of the remaining animals. The park has since relocated some of its animals and is temporarily closed to the public.
Amid these controversies, The Dolphin Company filed for bankruptcy. Since then, chaos has unfolded behind the scenes — including a bizarre report involving the former CEO storming the company’s Mexican headquarters with roughly 20 armed men. And now, a court has authorized a major shift in how the company handles its most valuable — and vulnerable — assets.
Parks Push to Liquidate Animal Inventory
On July 23, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court hearing will determine the future of the company’s living inventory. In a court motion, The Dolphin Company listed its 295 dolphins, 51 sea lions, 18 manatees, and 18 seals as “miscellaneous assets” eligible for sale — some of which are located in parks that may soon be shut down.
“The safety and humane treatment of these animals is paramount,” the filing reads, “and the cost of caring for such animals is exceedingly high while the debtors’ liquidity remains constrained.”
Miami Seaquarium is also home to sharks, rays, flamingos, penguins, tortoises, stingrays, and a wide range of tropical birds. However, the company has not revealed which animals will be sold or where they will go. The process allows for objections to be filed by other bankruptcy stakeholders, but if no one objects within the designated period, the sale will go forward without additional court approval.
Former trainer Shanna Simpson voiced deep concern over how these animals are being handled. “You have to have very experienced people doing these because, you know, they can be very stressful for the animals if they’re not done right,” she told WLRN. Simpson also called attention to the lack of legal representation for the animals themselves, saying the court process currently has “no advocate” for the dolphins, sea lions, or seals.
Simpson also pushed back against the company’s language. “These are real, live animals that have impacted millions of people in Miami-Dade,” she said.
As animal rights groups and legal teams prepare for the upcoming hearing, one thing is certain: a major shift is underway at Florida’s marine parks — and for many animals, it may be their last performance.
