Here's hoping the new owners can turn the page on this sad chapter.
Miami Seaquarium Miami Seaquarium
- Thread starter LIECOBOY
- Start date
BlobfishBoy
Well-Known Member
An example of how trying to do what makes people feel good (put her in a sanctuary) got in the way of doing right by captive cetaceans.
I agree. With Tokitae dead and Loke and Eleo at Shedd, it only makes sense for them to send Li’i to join them.
https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/what-couldve-happened-with-tokitae.488546/
I have dispensed some of my thoughts regarding Tokitae. I hope it is enjoyable to read...
I have dispensed some of my thoughts regarding Tokitae. I hope it is enjoyable to read...
On August 22nd, it was announced that the aquarium transferred (1.1) Pacific white-sided dolphins named Elelo and Loke to the Shedd Aquarium in Illinois.
https://www.sheddaquarium.org/stories/providing-a-home-and-care-for-loke-and-elelo
https://www.aza.org/aza-news-releas...edd-aquarium-accepts-transfer-of-two-dolphins
On September 18th, the aquarium announced that, with the agreement of the Lummi Nation tribe, Lolita was cremated and her ashes were given to said tribe a few days later.
At Miami Seaquarium we will never... - Miami Seaquarium
Under a bright sky in Bellingham,... - Miami Seaquarium
On September 25th, the aquarium announced that they transferred their (1.0) Pacific white-sided dolphin named Li'i to SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas.
After 35 years under the care of Miami... - Miami Seaquarium
https://www.sheddaquarium.org/stories/providing-a-home-and-care-for-loke-and-elelo
https://www.aza.org/aza-news-releas...edd-aquarium-accepts-transfer-of-two-dolphins
On September 18th, the aquarium announced that, with the agreement of the Lummi Nation tribe, Lolita was cremated and her ashes were given to said tribe a few days later.
At Miami Seaquarium we will never... - Miami Seaquarium
Under a bright sky in Bellingham,... - Miami Seaquarium
On September 25th, the aquarium announced that they transferred their (1.0) Pacific white-sided dolphin named Li'i to SeaWorld San Antonio in Texas.
After 35 years under the care of Miami... - Miami Seaquarium
BlobfishBoy
Well-Known Member
New details have emerged regarding the events that occurred hours before Tokitae’s death. Her death occurred after she failed to recover from a medical procedure.
She apparently stopped eating after August 15th, prompting a procedure on the 18th in which the water level in her tank was lowered so that she could be given medication. When the water was raised after the procedure, she was unresponsive for some time. Even after some response, she couldn’t control one of her flukes and floated on one side. Reportedly, blood was seen from her mouth, possibly due to an adverse reaction to medication. It is mentioned there was a bulkhead leak which may have caused a slight delay in the relowering of the water, but apparently this wasn’t an important factor. She was placed in a stretcher to attempt to stabilize her breathing, but this failed and she passed away.
Interestingly enough, the USDA was recently given a cause of death determined from the necropsy, of which the results are still not public.
Source: Final Hours: Lolita the Orca Died After Medical Procedure at Miami Seaquarium
She apparently stopped eating after August 15th, prompting a procedure on the 18th in which the water level in her tank was lowered so that she could be given medication. When the water was raised after the procedure, she was unresponsive for some time. Even after some response, she couldn’t control one of her flukes and floated on one side. Reportedly, blood was seen from her mouth, possibly due to an adverse reaction to medication. It is mentioned there was a bulkhead leak which may have caused a slight delay in the relowering of the water, but apparently this wasn’t an important factor. She was placed in a stretcher to attempt to stabilize her breathing, but this failed and she passed away.
Interestingly enough, the USDA was recently given a cause of death determined from the necropsy, of which the results are still not public.
Source: Final Hours: Lolita the Orca Died After Medical Procedure at Miami Seaquarium
BlobfishBoy
Well-Known Member
A new USDA report has come out with damning information against the Miami Seaquarium.
Before his transfer to Shedd, it was stated there was an incident in which Eleo, the pacific white sided dolphin, had managed to eat a zip tie, a piece of cement, and a piece of plastic. The deterioration of pools and equipment is what lead to him eating these. Months afterwards, he vomited sand and glass filtration media.
A bottlenose dolphin named Bimini was found to have multiple rib fractures in various stages of healing thought to be caused by aggression from other dolphins. Being kept in an incompatible group for too long lead to these injuries.
Their sole veterinarian had zero full time support staff, leading to routine veterinary check ups being halted. The vet lacked the proper equipment to monitor the health of all animals, such as a lack of scales that could be used in all marine mammal enclosures. This has caused three manatees to go without being weighed for five years. A lack of a modern gastroscope is also noted.
As has been noted in the past, the Seaquarium did not provide proper shade for all its animals. For example, a manatee was left without an overheard tarp for 10 days in March and for an unknown amount of time in April.
The attending veterinarian’s authority was being undermined and ignored. A new corporate trainer in charge of dolphin training was reported by multiple employees to have told other trainers to not contact the vet. On a chain of command chart in their office, the veterinarian was not included.
Source: Federal Inspectors Cite Miami Seaquarium for Severe Understaffing
Before his transfer to Shedd, it was stated there was an incident in which Eleo, the pacific white sided dolphin, had managed to eat a zip tie, a piece of cement, and a piece of plastic. The deterioration of pools and equipment is what lead to him eating these. Months afterwards, he vomited sand and glass filtration media.
A bottlenose dolphin named Bimini was found to have multiple rib fractures in various stages of healing thought to be caused by aggression from other dolphins. Being kept in an incompatible group for too long lead to these injuries.
Their sole veterinarian had zero full time support staff, leading to routine veterinary check ups being halted. The vet lacked the proper equipment to monitor the health of all animals, such as a lack of scales that could be used in all marine mammal enclosures. This has caused three manatees to go without being weighed for five years. A lack of a modern gastroscope is also noted.
As has been noted in the past, the Seaquarium did not provide proper shade for all its animals. For example, a manatee was left without an overheard tarp for 10 days in March and for an unknown amount of time in April.
The attending veterinarian’s authority was being undermined and ignored. A new corporate trainer in charge of dolphin training was reported by multiple employees to have told other trainers to not contact the vet. On a chain of command chart in their office, the veterinarian was not included.
Source: Federal Inspectors Cite Miami Seaquarium for Severe Understaffing
I do feel in regards to the Seaquarium it was much a product of an era where most cities had their own such thing - their own place to see dolphins and orcas - the logical extension of the idea that goes 'a gorilla and a giraffe for every city'.
Of course most of those parks are no longer in existence... so I find it a wonder that the Seaquarium is still standing. But I feel that its days may well be numbered... if not for the popular dolphins that remain there
Of course most of those parks are no longer in existence... so I find it a wonder that the Seaquarium is still standing. But I feel that its days may well be numbered... if not for the popular dolphins that remain there
BlobfishBoy
Well-Known Member
According to the lease agreement with Miami-Dade county, the Seaquarium has 45 days to fix these issues or they face the loss of the lease. If they actually will fix all these issues in time is to be seen.
It's not their first either - they've had multiple in the past few years.
Not mentioned in the other article but there were more citations: a child getting bit by a Bottlenose Dolphin, and inappropriate separation of a manatee being housed solo. USFWS appears to have been unwilling to place more manatees at the Seaquarium.
Given this inspection was mid-July, it was before Lolita's passing - there seems to be high probability that due to circumstances she may not have received treatment until already too late. There was apparently also both not enough staff and a lack of proper equipment, raising the question of whether Lolita's death could have been prevented had the Seaquarium been keeping in accordance with regulations. Not much that can be said to the situation now, but the Seaquarium seems to be very much at fault in the situation. Also highly unfortunate the new management does not seem to be doing any better than the old one.
BlobfishBoy
Well-Known Member
It is quite sad that the new management is doing poorly. People have betted on and wanted the Seaquarium to close for a while but it has always managed to stay in operation. It’s clear to me that Miami-Dade county is not happy with how things are and now that Tokitae has passed on I wouldn’t be surprised if the Seaquarium closes sooner rather than later. If improvements are planned I think it’s fair to say all cetaceans and preferably all animals should be transferred while the whole facility is rehauled (which I believe is unlikely).
Building off of this, the SeaQuarium is finding itself in some hot water yet again over Romeo the manatee - he has been housed on his own too long, and videos released of his housing show it to be subpar.
Calls to end solitary confinement of manatee living ‘groundhog day in hell'
Call me a cynic... but I feel that much of the talk about Romeo is out of desparation.
With Lolita gone and her companions shipped out... it was only a matter of time before the AR groups looked for their new 'mascot' of the Seaquarium's shortcomings.
But I suppose if it is that the Seaquarium has so many such cases to poke at... it does say something about the failures of the Seaquarium
Coming from someone who usually finds most of the stuff these AR groups say nonsense; I do think they have a legitimate case here though with Romeo.
His facilities are subpar and obviously not in the best condition. The fact that he's been housed by himself for so long also adds fuel to the fire.
Well... the Seaquarium received both a critical and a non-critical citation in regards to Romeo at their July inspection, and by all accounts it appears USFWS has been refusing to place manatees at the facility out of concern for the well being of the animals, so you tell me... I think the case is rather legitimate here given the extent of animal welfare citations going on across all their marine mammals the last couple years...
True. I think also there is some degree of genuinity behind this manatee's case as well...
Though in all genuinity also I doubt there will be a Seaquarium by '26... and it will be a miracle if it ekes itself into '25
I'm bibased about the future (possible closure) of Miami Seaquarium.
On one side, I have special memories to it. It was the first zoological institution I have visited in the USA and the first time, I saw a manatee (and a disapointing, boring shark feeding). So I wish the responsible persons can keep this memories alive.
However, on the other side I must confess, that the owner/management has missed necessary exhibit quality upgrades (as well as upgrades in exhibit and animal presentation). It is more or less where it was 30-40 years ago. With no investments in this points, its time has indeed running out...
On one side, I have special memories to it. It was the first zoological institution I have visited in the USA and the first time, I saw a manatee (and a disapointing, boring shark feeding). So I wish the responsible persons can keep this memories alive.
However, on the other side I must confess, that the owner/management has missed necessary exhibit quality upgrades (as well as upgrades in exhibit and animal presentation). It is more or less where it was 30-40 years ago. With no investments in this points, its time has indeed running out...
Apparently the USFWS is in talks to remove manatees from the Seaquarium.
US Fish and Wildlife assisting with ‘transport effort of manatees from Miami Seaquarium’
US Fish and Wildlife assisting with ‘transport effort of manatees from Miami Seaquarium’
Yeesh, how has this place not shut down yet?
On the topic of manatees though, I personally feel relocating them to Columbus and Cincinnati would be a good idea, considering how far they are from Florida. Plus weren't some of the Seaquarium's manatees captive-bred?
But seriously, looking at this thread, it's shocking they're still open with all the welfare violations and poor exhibit quality.
What does distance from Florida have to do with anything? Arguably it is not in the best interests of at least two of the manatees to go that far - Romeo is quite old, and I've heard it reported somewhere one of the females is decidedly overweight. Both of them would most likely be better off not moving too far.
That I don't know.