A bankrupt international operator of marine parks and aquariums is searching for courtroom approval to promote a whole lot of its animals after a string of dolphin deaths at one in all its Florida areas compelled a facility closure and sparked a number of investigations.
The Dolphin Firm, which operates greater than 30 parks in eight nations, cited “limited liquidity” and “exceedingly high” animal care prices for its dolphins, sea lions, manatees and different marine mammals, based on a submitting submitted Wednesday to the US Chapter Courtroom in Delaware.
The corporate additionally desires to promote a few of its actual property as a part of a broader restructuring effort beneath Chapter 11 chapter proceedings initiated in March.
The deaths occurred at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama Metropolis Seashore, Fla., the place 5 bottlenose dolphins died between October of final 12 months and Could.
The fifth fatality prompted the park’s closure and intensified scrutiny of the corporate’s animal care practices.
The deceased dolphins included Jett, who died in March from blunt power trauma to the pinnacle after crashing into the shallow finish of a pool throughout a public present.
Employees response was reportedly delayed resulting from murky, algae-filled water.
Samira, an eight-year-old dolphin, was discovered useless final month after weeks of misery and refusing meals. Preliminary findings indicated she had ingested overseas materials and suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage.
Three different dolphins — Gus, Turk and Nate — died final October, with reported causes together with euthanasia for a life-threatening situation, bacterial lung illness and systemic an infection.
Following the fatalities, inspections by the USDA and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee discovered troubling circumstances on the park, together with tanks with as much as six inches of algae, damaged water filtration programs, poor water high quality, power understaffing and delayed emergency responses resulting from poor visibility within the water.
Florida state prosecutors and federal companies have since launched prison investigations.
Jay Trumbull, a state senator, referred to as the state of affairs “disturbing and unacceptable” and urged the removing of all remaining dolphins.
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In its submitting, The Dolphin Firm said that “not only will the sale and transfer of these animals bring value to the debtors’ estates, it will also aid in the animals’ welfare and safety.”
The corporate disclosed in chapter paperwork that it housed roughly 2,400 animals as of 2023.
These included 295 dolphins, 51 sea lions, 18 manatees and 18 seals.
Courtroom data present that many of those animals serve not solely as reside sights but additionally as collateral for over $100 million in excellent debt.
The business worth of bottlenose dolphins varies relying on coaching, age and look. Dolphins captured in Taiji, Japan, in the course of the 2025 season have reportedly bought for between $30,000 and $128,000 every.
Skilled dolphins ready for public performances can command costs as much as $150,000.
California sea lions, additionally a part of the corporate’s holdings, sometimes promote for between $20,000 and $40,000, whereas manatees, a species that’s protected beneath US and worldwide legislation, will not be commercially bought however can incur care prices exceeding $40,000 for a number of months and greater than $100,000 for prolonged rehabilitation.
After Gulf World’s closure, 11 surviving dolphins had been cleared for relocation by the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 4 rough-toothed dolphins — Doris, Kitana, Dagny and Wren — had been transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The remaining seven dolphins had been moved to Marineland in St. Augustine, Fla.
The Dolphin Firm’s monetary collapse has additionally revealed inside turmoil. Former CEO Eduardo Albor, who oversaw the corporate’s progress over a number of many years, misplaced management of the enterprise after it defaulted on roughly $100 million in debt.
In response to courtroom filings, Albor refused to relinquish management of the corporate’s parks in Mexico, the place it’s headquartered, and denied new administration entry to monetary programs and accounts.
US Chapter Choose Laurie Silverstein not too long ago ordered Albor to cease interfering with firm operations and supply entry to all data.
She additionally imposed a $10,000-per-day superb for noncompliance. Advisers overseeing the restructuring have accused Albor of diverting income from Mexican parks utilizing bank card readers bought from Costco.
The Publish has sought remark from The Dolphin Firm and Albor.
