Victory! Miami Seaquarium Loses Its Lease
Update (7 March 2024):
It’s time to pop the champagne corks and bring out the vegan appetisers, because the Miami Seaquarium’s lease is being terminated! Miami-Dade County’s decision requires the animal prison to relinquish the property to its owner by 21 April 2024.
Why the Miami Seaquarium Lost Its Lease
The wretched Miami Seaquarium has failed the animals it imprisons for decades. It confined them to tiny, dilapidated enclosures and couldn’t be bothered to comply with even the minimum standards of care of the US federal Animal Welfare Act. It continually violated its lease with the county by not complying with animal welfare laws – including through chronic and repeat violations documented by the US Department of Agriculture over the past two years and failing to maintain its meagre structures on the property.
More than 100 dolphins and two orcas, Lolita and Hugo, lived and died there in misery. Thanks to the relentless work of animal defenders, nobody else will be forced to endure a fate like this at the Miami Seaquarium.
Here’s what PETA US Vice President Tracy Reiman had to say:
The world watched as the Miami Seaquarium let the lone orca Lolita waste away and die, allowed animals to eat trash in crumbling enclosures, and ignored its attending veterinarian’s instructions until she finally resigned – but now the world can cheer at the news that help is finally on the way for the long-suffering animals held captive there. After more than 50 years of miserable animals and false promises to clean up its act, the Seaquarium’s impending shutdown is overdue, and PETA looks to Miami-Dade County authorities to keep up the good work by ensuring that these animals are sent to reputable facilities where they’ll get the care they so desperately need.
You Can Help Animals Reach Sanctuaries
While we thank Miami-Dade County officials for this historic move, we urge them to act swiftly to ensure that the animals are all sent to reputable facilities.
Over 80 travel companies that operate in the UK have implemented policies not to endorse marine parks, but others are still profiting from animals’ misery. Please urge Jet2holidays to cut ties with facilities that exploit captive orcas and other dolphins:
Original post (22 January 2024):
After a years-long PETA US campaign that included lawsuits, celebrity ads, letters to county officials, and lively rallies, including this month at the Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office – along with a decade of weekly protests by local activists – the county has finally announced that it’s moving to revoke the Miami Seaquarium’s lease, marking the beginning of the end for this animal prison. Authorities must now move quickly to shut down this notorious facility.
PETA has champagne on ice and is preparing to celebrate the day the animals are finally freed from the dilapidated concrete tanks where the long-suffering orca Lolita and so many others lived and died in misery.
Compassionate people in Miami and around the world have joined with PETA and celebrities including Paulina Rubio, Kate del Castillo, Natasha Araos, Alicia Machado, Dr Ana María Polo, Alan Cumming, and the late Bob Barker to raise awareness of the problems at the Seaquarium.
The Seaquarium recently received a Notice of Intent to Confiscate from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding four marine mammals currently housed there – marking the first time the agency has taken such an action in 30 years. According to reports, county officials will work with the USDA to “chart the most appropriate course forward, always prioritizing the best interests of the animals” remaining at the marine park.
