After Multiple Deaths, Controversial Captive Animals Are Finally Leaving Florida Theme Park
It’s been a long time coming, but one Florida theme park is finally saying farewell to some of its captive marine mammals.
While the use of marine mammals is nothing new, the 2013 documentary Blackfish ignited a fierce backlash against the parks that keep whales and dolphins in captivity – particularly SeaWorld. The film chronicled the life of Tilikum, an orca linked to multiple trainer deaths, and argued that captivity causes psychological and physical harm to marine mammals.
Public pressure following the film led to a drop in attendance, policy changes, and eventually SeaWorld’s decision to end its orca breeding program in 2016. The park has also been accused by some guests of hiding its orcas in recent years.
However, it’s not the only park to receive backlash. Some have also criticized Disney for its use of dolphins at EPCOT (although these have been removed from The Seas with Nemo & Friends as of 2024), as well as the likes of Miami Seaquarium and Gulf World Marine Park.
Florida Theme Park Bids Adieu To Dolphins
The latter has received particular criticism in recent weeks after the death of a fifth dolphin at the theme park.
Gulf World Marine Park – located in Panama City Beach, Florida – lost Samira, a 9-year-old bottlenose dolphin, after previously mourning four other dolphins since October.
While it didn’t disclose the cause of death, the park announced its temporary closure, which is still ongoing. Florida Sen. Jay Trumbull called for the immediate removal of all remaining dolphins from Gulf World Marine Park, describing the pattern of fatalities as “disturbing and unacceptable” and urging state wildlife officials to intervene without delay and ensure the animals are relocated to a safer environment.
Last week, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier launched a statewide criminal investigation into the park and its owner, The Dolphin Company.
It’s since been confirmed that the park is indeed relocating seven bottlenose dolphins.
According to WJHG, the dolphins will be relocated to St. Augustine’s Marineland Dolphin Adventure, having learned of the transfer via an emergency waiver issued by NOAA on May 30. The activist group TideBreakers also shared a video on Facebook that showed preparations to relocate the dolphins on May 31.
The Not-So-Good News
While this may sound like a victory, Marineland Dolphin Adventure is, in fact, also owned by The Dolphin Company, which recently filed for bankruptcy. The most recent inspection of the park claimed that it suffers from flaking paint, damaged concrete, improperly stored medication, and fencing issues.
The Dolphin Company also owns Miami Seaquarium, which has been battling eviction since 2024 amid a string of similar controversies to Gulf World Marine Park.
Meanwhile, the park’s four rough-toothed dolphins will reportedly be relocated to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is not owned by The Dolphin Company. Drone footage captured by TideBreakers showed that all 11 dolphins were still at the park as of May 31.
BREAKING:
According to recent media report the 7 bottlenose dolphins will be moved from Gulf World to Marineland in St. Augustine, another deplorable hell hole owned by The Dolphin Company, who is under criminal investigation by the state of Florida.
More updates soon.
BREAKING:
According to recent media report the 7 bottlenose dolphins will be moved from Gulf World to Marineland in St. Augustine, another deplorable hell hole owned by The Dolphin Company, who is under criminal investigation by the state of Florida.
More updates soon. pic.twitter.com/X4nTHP661O— TideBreakers (@tide_breakers) June 2, 2025
Protestors have frequented Gulf World Marine Park in recent days. Organizer Jamie Marghany told the News Herald that she was trespassed from the property.
The park itself has shared a statement on the current situation in which it pins the blame on its previous owners.
“Gulf World experienced years of neglect by the Company’s previous Mexico-based management team,” it said. “The fiduciaries continue to pursue all remedies available in the bankruptcy proceedings to obtain the records and access to information necessary to provide for the health and welfare of all the Company’s animals.”
What do you think is the best solution for Gulf World Marine Park?
