VIRGINIA Key — It can be the stop of an period.
“The problem at the Seaquarium is so dire that we consider terminating the lease is the best program of possibility to assure safety,” explained Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
And some say good riddance.
“It wants to go. It wants to be bulldozed suitable into the ground,” said Dr. Naomi Rose, a maritime biologist with the Animal Welfare Institute.
“PETA is thrilled that the county is finally terminating the Seaquarium’s lease following more than 50 percent a century of miserable animals and bogus promises to clear up its act,” stated Jared Goodman, Managing Standard Counsel with The PETA Foundation.
Miami-Dade County Officials resolved the termination of the Miami Seaquarium’s lease at a press meeting Thursday afternoon, after sending a letter to the facility’s proprietor — The Dolphin Enterprise — informing them of the county’s choice.
“They have been subject of steady violations which includes decaying animal habitats, absence of veterinary workers, and deficiency of other knowledgeable staff members members,” said Mayor Levine Cava.
“The existing state of the miami Seaquarium is not the location that we visited as kids and it really is not the position that we want our young children to pay a visit to,” explained Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado.
The county claims the Seaquarium is facing a number of making code violations — and that the welfare of the animals is in jeopardy.
A 2023 USDA report built multiple disturbing discoveries, like a two-inch nail located in a dolphin’s neck.
“These animals are not remaining furnished the proper assets and the protected ecosystem they need to have and I continue to be involved about the poor high-quality of animal care that has been regularly documented,” stated Mayor Levine Cava.
Mayor Levine Cava also states the Seaquarium owes the county additional than 80 thousand dollars.
But The Dolphin Company’s CEO confirmed up following the press meeting — indicating the mayor has overlooked their firm’s ask for to check out the Seaquarium.
“She has by no means in no way established a foot in miami Seaquarium in two many years! She has hardly ever long gone in two yrs,” stated Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company.
And when Albor was requested if the Seaquarium is unsafe and unsustainable he stated “That is a lie. That is a lie,”
So, what occurs to the almost 500 animals currently being housed at the Seaquarium? How will they be safely transported to their following residence?
Levine Cava claims Dolphin Business owns these animals, not the county.
“We do not have the potential to make determinations directly,” said Mayor Levine Cava.
It really is even now unclear where these animals will go upcoming.
The Seaquarium has until Monday, March 11 to accept the termination of the lease, and they must vacate the property by April 21.
Albor states he intends to provide the make a difference to court.
