Three recent dolphin deaths at a Florida theme park have reignited ethical debates surrounding the captivity of marine animals, underscoring issues of welfare and oversight.
The conversation around animal captivity reached new heights following the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which cast a harsh spotlight on SeaWorld’s orcas. The film detailed how Tilikum, a captive whale responsible for three human deaths, including SeaWorld Orlando trainer Dawn Brancheau, symbolized the dark side of captivity for marine mammals. The public reaction was swift and severe, with calls for boycotts and sweeping protests, marking the beginning of SeaWorld’s sharp decline.
Over the past decade, Blackfish’s impact has rippled through SeaWorld, with notable drops in attendance and revenue across its U.S. parks. Calls for reform have only grown, and scrutiny on marine captivity has expanded to other parks, such as Miami Seaquarium, which faced reports of unsanitary conditions and animal mistreatment, ultimately prompting Miami-Dade County to pursue eviction.
Yet, amid the Seaquarium’s ongoing legal battles, another Florida property owned by the same parent company has come under fire for concerning conditions.
Gulf World Marine Park Under Scrutiny After Dolphin Deaths
At Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, the deaths of three bottlenose dolphins—Turk, 15; Gus, 14; and Nate, 20—have raised concerns, as these animals would typically live well beyond 40 years. The park is awaiting necropsy results, but the incident has already sparked questions about Gulf World’s ability to provide adequate care.
Valerie Greene, a former SeaWorld Orlando trainer, expressed her concerns to the Panama City News Herald: “The deaths of dolphins in rapid succession is deeply troubling,” she said. Greene, who has spoken with past employees worried about Gulf World’s declining standards since its acquisition by The Dolphin Company in 2015, described the facility as devolving into “a roadside attraction.”
Greene elaborated, “It was built in 1969, and it shows. The animal tanks are no bigger than hotel swimming pools, and they’re falling apart.”
USDA Findings Highlight Hazardous Conditions
Recent USDA inspection reports have cited major structural issues at Gulf World Marine Park. Findings included deteriorating concrete, rust, and lack of adequate shade—conditions that endanger animal health and safety.
A report from July pointed out severe neglect in the sea lion stadium, where rust leaked into the water, paint peeled from walls, and the stage for dolphin shows was riddled with cracks. The inspector warned that these surfaces posed risks of skin abrasions for the dolphins, heightening concerns over the park’s upkeep.
Another pressing issue noted in the report was the absence of shade over dolphin pools, leaving dolphins exposed to the sun as they awaited food. The USDA found that several dolphins, including Turk, Gus, and Nate, were on daily eye medication, potentially due to overexposure. This lack of protection highlighted the need for immediate changes.
An October 2023 report revealed additional hazards, with exposed and cracked concrete around dolphin pools, as staff recounted an incident where a piece of concrete was removed from a dolphin’s mouth. Earlier in the year, a building inspector deemed the sea lion stadium and gift shop areas to be “life-safety” concerns. Even with these findings, little progress had reportedly been made by October.
Construction Near Gulf World Adds Health Risks
Greene has also raised concerns about nearby construction possibly contributing to the dolphins’ deaths. She believes airborne debris from the construction site could be contaminating the tanks. The facility’s walls, she claims, are inadequate to shield the animals from potential hazards.
Marine veterinarian Dr. Jenna Wallace supports this theory, pointing to the fungal pathogen mucormycosis as a possible cause of death, noting that it can be triggered by nearby construction dust. “I strongly believe that the construction adjacent to the facility is possibly related to the deaths of these animals,” Wallace said. She added, “All dolphins are at risk with any nearby construction taking place, and there may be more loss of life in the near future.”
Wallace suspects that this pathogen might have also entered through cracks in the concrete, which the USDA highlighted in their reports. Gulf World has reportedly lost dolphins to this infection before, with treatments costing over $50,000 per case.
Guillermo Sánchez Contreras, director of veterinary services for The Dolphin Company, stated that samples have been sent to independent labs for analysis. “As soon as the first case arose, all dolphins underwent extra veterinary checks, and additional preventive medical measures were immediately implemented,” he shared. “At this time, no other members of our pod have shown any symptoms. Our team is grieving while we continue to provide the best care to the rest of our pod as we await answers.”
Sánchez Contreras also assured that prior USDA issues had been addressed at the park, which also houses a diverse range of other marine and wildlife, including sea lions, penguins, tropical birds, harbor seals, stingrays, and rough-toothed dolphins.
What are your thoughts—should marine mammals like dolphins continue to live in captivity?