In a new report, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited the Miami Seaquarium for various violations this year, including inadequate animal care.
According to the five-page report, which was completed in July, the facility ignored advice from veterinarians and failed to control animals during interactions with the public. It cited an incident this year where a guest was bitten on the hand by a dolphin.
Additionally, the report said the Miami Seaquarium housed a dolphin with others who apparently broke several of her ribs, failed to provide protection from direct sunlight, failed to maintain proper enclosures for animals, and allowed a dolphin trainer to undermine the attending veterinarian’s authority.
The USDA inspection was carried out not long before captive orca Lolita died at the venue just as plans were progressing to release the killer whale to her home waters.
In response to the report, Miami-Dade County leaders have sent a letter to the Seaquarium, which is owned by the Dolphin Company, saying it has 45 days to improve conditions for the animals. The letter said the facility is in violation of the terms of an amended and restated lease agreement.
The notice of default on the Miami Seaquarium’s lease requires that the venue maintain its property in “a good state of repair” and maintain the animals “in accordance with federal laws”.
Other violations noted in the USDA’s latest inspection report include failing to provide the correct equipment for adequate veterinary care and treatment, and ignoring the attending veterinarian’s recommendations, including that a dolphin who had ingested plastic and concrete in a run-down enclosure should be moved.
PETA calls for shut down of Seaquarium
Since the release of the report, animal rights nonprofit organisation PETA has urged county officials to shut down the Miami Seaquarium in a petition.
“Having failed at every opportunity to clean up its act, the Miami Seaquarium is still subjecting animals to injuries from incompatible tankmates and denying them shelter from the scorching Miami sun, just as it did Lolita,” said PETA executive VP Tracy Reiman.
“PETA is calling on Miami-Dade County to break this cycle of abuse by immediately terminating this abusement park’s lease.”
