Marine park company reeling after five dolphins – Business News
A bankrupt international operator of marine parks and aquariums is searching for courtroom approval to sell a whole bunch of its animals after a string of dolphin deaths at one of its Florida areas pressured a facility closure and sparked a number of investigations.
The Dolphin Company, which operates more than 30 parks in eight international locations, cited “limited liquidity” and “exceedingly high” animal care prices for its dolphins, sea lions, manatees and different marine mammals, in line with a submitting submitted Wednesday to the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.
The company additionally desires to sell some of its real estate as half of a broader restructuring effort below Chapter 11 chapter proceedings initiated in March.
The company that operates Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City, Fla., is searching for a courtroom’s permission to sell a whole bunch of dolphins, sea lions and manatees. Gulf World Marine Park
The deaths occurred at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Fla., the place five bottlenose dolphins died between October of final yr and May.
The fifth fatality prompted the park’s closure and intensified scrutiny of the company’s animal care practices.
The deceased dolphins included Jett, who died in March from blunt pressure trauma to the pinnacle after crashing into the shallow finish of a pool during a public show.
Staff response was reportedly delayed on account of murky, algae-filled water.
Samira, an eight-year-old dolphin, was discovered useless final month after weeks of misery and refusing food. Preliminary findings indicated she had ingested international materials and suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage.
Three different dolphins — Gus, Turk and Nate — died final October, with reported causes together with euthanasia for a life-threatening situation, bacterial lung illness and systemic an infection.
The Dolphin Company operates dozens of aquatic parks and aquariums within the United States and overseas. The Dolphin Company
Following the fatalities, inspections by the USDA and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discovered troubling situations on the park, together with tanks with up to 6 inches of algae, damaged water filtration systems, poor water high quality, continual understaffing and delayed emergency responses on account of poor visibility within the water.
Florida state prosecutors and federal companies have since launched prison investigations.
Jay Trumbull, a state senator, referred to as the state of affairs “disturbing and unacceptable” and urged the elimination of all remaining dolphins.
Five bottlenose dolphins housed on the park died within a span of eight months, together with 8-year-old Samira. Instagram/captive.ceta
In its submitting, The Dolphin Company acknowledged that “not only will the sale and transfer of these animals bring value to the debtors’ estates, it will also aid in the animals’ welfare and safety.”
The company disclosed in chapter paperwork that it housed roughly 2,400 animals as of 2023.
These included 295 dolphins, 51 sea lions, 18 manatees and 18 seals.
Court data show that many of these animals serve not solely as dwell points of interest but in addition as collateral for over $100 million in excellent debt.
The Dolphin Company disclosed in chapter paperwork that it housed roughly 2,400 animals as of 2023. PETER WILLOTT/THE ST. AUGUSTINE RECORD through Imagn Content Services, LLC
The business worth of bottlenose dolphins varies relying on coaching, age and look. Dolphins captured in Taiji, Japan, during the 2025 season have reportedly offered for between $30,000 and $128,000 every.
Trained dolphins ready for public performances can command costs up to $150,000.
California sea lions, additionally half of the company’s holdings, sometimes sell for between $20,000 and $40,000, whereas manatees, a species that’s protected below US and worldwide law, will not be commercially offered however can incur care prices exceeding $40,000 for a number of months and more than $100,000 for prolonged rehabilitation.
After Gulf World’s closure, 11 surviving dolphins have been cleared for relocation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Four rough-toothed dolphins — Doris, Kitana, Dagny and Wren — have been transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The remaining seven dolphins have been moved to Marineland in St. Augustine, Fla.
The Miami Seaquarium is owned and operated by the Mexico-based Dolphin Company. Getty Images
The Dolphin Company’s financial collapse has additionally revealed inner turmoil. Former CEO Eduardo Albor, who oversaw the company’s growth over a number of many years, misplaced control of the business after it defaulted on roughly $100 million in debt.
According to courtroom filings, Albor refused to relinquish control of the company’s parks in Mexico, the place it’s headquartered, and denied new management entry to financial systems and accounts.
US Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Silverstein not too long ago ordered Albor to stop interfering with company operations and supply entry to all data.
She additionally imposed a $10,000-per-day tremendous for noncompliance. Advisers overseeing the restructuring have accused Albor of diverting income from Mexican parks utilizing credit card readers bought from Costco.
The Post has sought remark from The Dolphin Company and Albor.
