The Miami Seaquarium as it appeared in May 2025.
L-R, top-bottom: Romeo the manatee in November 2023, shortly before he was removed from the Seaquarium; Bimini the dolphin in May 2021, in what former Seaquarium vet Dr. Jenna Wallace called poor body condition before her 2025 death; Toki the whale in October 2022, swimming in a Seaquarium enclosure activists called inadequate.

The Miami Seaquarium, an embattled marine park at the center of ongoing controversy due to repeated animal welfare issues, inspection violations, bankruptcy and an eviction battle, is closing its doors to visitors after 70 years of operation.

In an Oct. 6 statement, the park announced it had agreed to sell the lease for its waterfront property to Resilient Aquarium LLC, a subsidiary of Florida real estate company Terra, headed by local developer David Martin. The $22.5 million deal will result in the park being turned into an "accredited aquarium" with "marine-focused retail and dining," according to proposal documents reviewed by USA TODAY. It will no longer house marine mammals, however, meaning its remaining 16 dolphins and more than 20 seals and sea lions will have to be relocated.

"Terra's proposal contemplates substantial investment in, and renovation of, the Seaquarium to modernize it in a manner that respects the history of the site and is consistent with applicable laws and regulations," the Seaquarium said in a statement. "We thank you for your patronage and support over the years."

The last day for the public to visit the park will be Sunday, Oct. 12.

In a joint statement shared on social media, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Raquel Regalado said the deal was a "major step forward" for the county that will open a "new chapter in marine life education and Biscayne Bay preservation" and "create a vibrant community destination" for residents and locals.

"Our ultimate goal is to protect the animals at the Miami Seaquarium while creating opportunities for future generations to learn about marine life and enjoy some of our community's most treasured natural spaces," it said.

Marine park plagued by animal welfare issues, repeated inspection violations

The Seaquarium, owned by the MS Leisure Company under which subsidiary The Dolphin Company operates, has been the subject of criticism and regular protests, with activist groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), demanding its closure for over a decade. A spate of animal deaths, as well as videos of substandard conditions, have drawn viral attention and legal battles over the years. These included the highly-publicized saga of Toki the orca, also known as Lolita, who died there in 2023 after the Seaquarium promised to move her to a sea pen amid criticism of living conditions at the park.

In September, a dolphin named Bimini became the latest of at least 11 marine mammals to die at the Seaquarium since March 2022, when The Dolphin Company purchased the property from Palace Entertainment. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection reports revealed that Bimini, along with other animals at the park, had received inadequate veterinary care and lived in enclosures "not in good repair."

The company received an eviction notice from Miami-Dade County in January 2024, demanding it vacate the property by April 21, 2024. Leisure Investments violated its lease by treating its animals poorly and keeping the Seaquarium’s grounds improperly maintained, according to city officials. However, a judge later denied the county’s motion for an immediate eviction in November 2024 after the Seaquarium refused to vacate, noting it had evidence proving the claims in the demand letter were false.

The Dolphin Company later filed for Chapter 11 protection on March 31. It also owns and operates the equally controversial Gulf World, which has likewise racked up citations and drawn the attention of concerned citizens.

USA TODAY reached out to The Dolphin Company for comment on Thursday, Oct. 9, but has not received a response.

What will happen to the animals left at the park?

Some animal rights organizations and activists have lauded the closure as a success, with PETA writing in a statement that it was "popping champagne corks" over the news.

"The Miami Seaquarium is finally having to shut its doors after more than 50 long years of imprisoning sick and suffering animals in crumbling concrete tanks, denying them veterinary care, and forcing them to perform tricks," PETA said.

Others say it's too early to celebrate, however, as there is not yet a clear path forward for the marine mammals under the Seaquarium's care. And while some, including PETA, have called for the remaining marine animals to be relocated to seaside sanctuaries, there is a notable lack of such sanctuaries.

"TideBreakers is thrilled that the Miami Seaquarium is finally shutting down after 70 years of torturing marine life. However, the fight is far from over," said Valerie Greene of TideBreakers, an animal welfare group seeking to end captivity and improve laws and conditions for kept marine animals.

While animal rights organizations and the public want to see dolphins set free or sent to sanctuaries, the animals would die if set free, as they've been born in captivity or been in it for so long that they lack the necessary skills to survive in the wild, said Greene.

"As for sanctuaries, they simply do not exist in North America, and we are seeing the absolute urgency for their creation - otherwise, abused dolphins will continue to be shuffled from tank to tank as these parks shut down. They deserve their dignity back and we can do better," she said.

While the Miami Seaquarium has said it will work with the county, USDA, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and other relevant agencies on transferring animals to new homes that are "properly accredited and licensed to maintain necessary levels of care," no specific location or plan has yet been identified or shared.

USA TODAY contacted USDA for comment on Oct. 9 but has not received a response.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marine park plagued by animal deaths, welfare concerns closing after 70 years

Reporting by Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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