The Dolphin Company, owner of Miami Seaquarium, which made international headlines for the conditions in which Lolita the orca was kept before her death, has filed for bankruptcy in the US.
The Dolphin Company, which is based in Cancun, Mexico, owns 30 aquatic theme parks and aquaria in eight countries. Most of the facilities are located in Central America and the Caribbean, with one in Argentina and three in Italy.
At least 21 of the parks have some form of dolphin exhibit, with others also featuring manatees and sea lions.
A spokesperson for the company said that the Chapter 11 filing in the US will ‘enable the business to restructure its balance sheet and improve its financial position.’
The spokesperson added that the process will ‘ensure the continued operation of the attractions while placing a strong emphasis on animal safety and wellbeing.’
In October 2024, Miami Seaquarium filed a lawsuit against the activist and former animal trainer Phil Demers, alleging that the drone footage he broadcast exposing the state of the small and dirty tanks Lolita and her dolphin tankmates were kept in was published illegally.
The Animal Activist Legal Defense Project, defending Demers, has since filed an anti-SLAPP motion claiming the footage broadcast by Mr Demers is protected under the First Amendment to the US Constitution
Although the parent company has filed for bankruptcy, the future of Miami Seaquarium and the 29 other holdings remains uncertain, as the Dolphin Company seeks to secure additional financing for future operations.
‘We will be glad if this hellhole closes, but fear for the safety of the animals under The Dolphin Company’s negligence and wanton disregard for their health,’ said Chris Carraway, staff attorney at the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project.
‘Bankruptcy is the natural result of focusing on frivolous lawsuits to shut down criticism rather than providing care to animals.’
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- The rescue of Miami Seaquarium’s forgotten manatees
- Tragic Lolita’s dolphin tankmate relocated to Texas
- Lolita the orca dies after 53 years in captivity
- 57-year-old orca held captive in Florida aquarium to be released
