Noticed that American Humane revoked its accreditation to Miami Seaquarium and the AZA delisted the facility from its Pathway Towards Membership program.
However MSQ still proudly waves its AMMPA banner. AMMPA claims to hold inspections every five years, but they don't state when their last one was. A USDA investigation found serious welfare issues at the facility like feeding rotten fish (USDA guidelines are the bare minimum of welfare and AMMPA is supposed to be the most "comprehensive and stringent"). Multiple former staff, including a veterinarian and trainers (who are explicitly pro-cetacean captivity) have spoken out against the facility's recent practices, including unnecessary food cutbacks. This clearly isn't a smear campaign - the notion that MSQ is mistreating their animals is indisputable.
Is their accreditation status just because they haven't their inspection yet? Or are AMMPA guidelines lackluster (like ZAA) compared to AZA?
Also, I noticed that while MSQ was always a poor facility (especially in the 20th century), its modern-day practices started to worsen after it was acquired and managed by the Dolphin Company (according to interviews with former staff). This is hugely concerning considering the fact that the company owns an insane amount of facilities across the world and has slowly been buying out Florida dolphinariums. You'd think a company with this much experience caring for marine mammals would improve the facility's standing, not worsen it. Does anyone have any info regarding how the Dolphin Company operates?
However MSQ still proudly waves its AMMPA banner. AMMPA claims to hold inspections every five years, but they don't state when their last one was. A USDA investigation found serious welfare issues at the facility like feeding rotten fish (USDA guidelines are the bare minimum of welfare and AMMPA is supposed to be the most "comprehensive and stringent"). Multiple former staff, including a veterinarian and trainers (who are explicitly pro-cetacean captivity) have spoken out against the facility's recent practices, including unnecessary food cutbacks. This clearly isn't a smear campaign - the notion that MSQ is mistreating their animals is indisputable.
Is their accreditation status just because they haven't their inspection yet? Or are AMMPA guidelines lackluster (like ZAA) compared to AZA?
Also, I noticed that while MSQ was always a poor facility (especially in the 20th century), its modern-day practices started to worsen after it was acquired and managed by the Dolphin Company (according to interviews with former staff). This is hugely concerning considering the fact that the company owns an insane amount of facilities across the world and has slowly been buying out Florida dolphinariums. You'd think a company with this much experience caring for marine mammals would improve the facility's standing, not worsen it. Does anyone have any info regarding how the Dolphin Company operates?