Miami Seaquarium Miami Seaquarium

SwampDonkey said:
As a small business owner I have to say that the fact hat the Seaquarium owes money to vendors and is taking a long time to pay them, past terms, is very common and is probably being made a larger issue on these forums that it really should be. It is common in general business as well as with zoos. I used to do a fair amount of work with a large zoo and they were always slow payers.
Click to expand...

While likely true, they at the very least shouldn't be in default to the county on their loan. The reported lack of communication is probably not helping matters, it feels problematic that multiple vendors are coming forwards with concerns about not being paid.

SwampDonkey said:
The real issues are the clear animal care concerns,
Click to expand...

Worth noting in my opinion that some of the unpaid vendors are listed to include engineers, pest control, and water filtration - the latter two being a significant part of animal care. If financial issues are also the reason for the lack of veterinary staff and behind the citation for being understaffed in general, then I'd argue the finances are as much a root problem of the poor animal care. And as the article mentions, this is a company that does business in eight countries - its not just a local struggling aquarium, it's part of a much bigger parent company. Less reason that it should be currently in default.
 
Great Argus said:
While likely true, they at the very least shouldn't be in default to the county on their loan. The reported lack of communication is probably not helping matters, it feels problematic that multiple vendors are coming forwards with concerns about not being paid.



Worth noting in my opinion that some of the unpaid vendors are listed to include engineers, pest control, and water filtration - the latter two being a significant part of animal care. If financial issues are also the reason for the lack of veterinary staff and behind the citation for being understaffed in general, then I'd argue the finances are as much a root problem of the poor animal care. And as the article mentions, this is a company that does business in eight countries - its not just a local struggling aquarium, it's part of a much bigger parent company. Less reason that it should be currently in default.
Click to expand...
It would admittedly be scary if Dolphin Company is purposely doing this/not doing repairs, to move out the animals at MSQ to their other Florida facilities…

They’ve already lost 3 species so far. You would think they’d be investing to ensure animal care considering the Parent company is all about dolphin interaction programs?
 
Aelita said:
It would admittedly be scary if Dolphin Company is purposely doing this/not doing repairs, to move out the animals at MSQ to their other Florida facilities…

They’ve already lost 3 species so far. You would think they’d be investing to ensure animal care considering the Parent company is all about dolphin interaction programs?
Click to expand...
No that definitely isn’t their plan. If that was really their only reason for buying the SeaQuarium they would have shut it down the moment they bought it. They would do the exact same thing SeaWorld did to Marineland of the Pacific years ago. Shut down the park, move out all the animals, and sell the land. The dolphin company wouldn’t neglect the park just so they can move out the animals because they just don’t need to they already have the power to move out the animals. Why add a bunch fees and controversy when they can easily move all of the animals out. And on top of that neglecting the animals would have a negative effect on their other properties they send the dolphins to. Why purposely let your animals get sick and injured if your planning to bring them to your other properties? If anything they would be trying harder to keep the animals healthy.
 
Great Argus said:
While likely true, they at the very least shouldn't be in default to the county on their loan. The reported lack of communication is probably not helping matters, it feels problematic that multiple vendors are coming forwards with concerns about not being paid.



Worth noting in my opinion that some of the unpaid vendors are listed to include engineers, pest control, and water filtration - the latter two being a significant part of animal care. If financial issues are also the reason for the lack of veterinary staff and behind the citation for being understaffed in general, then I'd argue the finances are as much a root problem of the poor animal care. And as the article mentions, this is a company that does business in eight countries - its not just a local struggling aquarium, it's part of a much bigger parent company. Less reason that it should be currently in default.
Click to expand...
Very valid points.
 
BlobfishBoy said:
The end is here…
Mayor seeks to terminate Miami Seaquarium lease
Click to expand...

The real question is now what happens - who maintains ownership of the animals and controls what happens to them. If it's still the Dolphin Company as I assume, they'll most likely start pushing animals to their other parks.
A real shameful ending to a facility that's been open for nearly 70 years...
 
Great Argus said:
I noted that in the other article as well - I'm not sure what those animals would be as there isn't any mammal species they hold just four of. We shall have to wait and see I suppose.
Click to expand...
The latest USDA report named dolphins Ripley, Panama, Onyx and Sundance in particular. We know Sundance passed away, so I’m wondering if either 1.) the four were intended to be those four before Sundance passed away and there just hasn’t been an update given to the press on the number of animals USDA wants to seize or 2.) it’s the 3 dolphins that are left of those 4, plus one other mammal. Or, maybe I’m just totally wrong. It’s an educated guess, though.
 
Mary said:
The latest USDA report named dolphins Ripley, Panama, Onyx and Sundance in particular. We know Sundance passed away, so I’m wondering if either 1.) the four were intended to be those four before Sundance passed away and there just hasn’t been an update given to the press on the number of animals USDA wants to seize or 2.) it’s the 3 dolphins that are left of those 4, plus one other mammal. Or, maybe I’m just totally wrong. It’s an educated guess, though.
Click to expand...

Those dolphins are a pretty good guess I'd say. Would make the most sense per what has been released prior.
 
NAIB Volunteer said:
Don't count your chickens: USDA says the Seaquarium has corrected its deficiencies and is in compliance. The four unnamed marine mammals species threatened with confiscation will remain at the facility.

USDA says Miami Seaquarium operators in compliance after finding issues with animal care
Click to expand...

It seems to imply more in regards to the four animals that were potentially confiscated - I'd be surprised if they've managed to rectify everything in all the reports that fast.
 
The whole situation is perplexing. The Dolphin Company knows how to manage parks like this, they know how to take care of marine mammals, the Seaquarium was in the AZA Pathways program, how is this so difficult to actually make progress on?
 
SwampDonkey said:
The whole situation is perplexing. The Dolphin Company knows how to manage parks like this, they know how to take care of marine mammals, the Seaquarium was in the AZA Pathways program, how is this so difficult to actually make progress on?
Click to expand...
I personally assume that the dolphin company may see the Seaquarium as a lost cause and not worth the investments to bring it up to standard.
 
BlobfishBoy said:
I personally assume that the dolphin company may see the Seaquarium as a lost cause and not worth the investments to bring it up to standard.
Click to expand...
Could be, but they would have done pretty significant inspections prior to taking it on. Still, I can't think of another answer either.
 
Statement from the Seaquarium
We're proud to confirm compliance with federal Animal Welfare Act regulations. No animals have been confiscated by the USDA, contrary to recent reports. We're addressing misinformation and staying open under our Lease Agreement with Miami Dade County. MSQ remains operational. We appreciate Mayor Levine Cava's interest and welcome her to witness our animal care improvements firsthand.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top