BlobfishBoy
Well-Known Member
Yet again, another scathing USDA report against the Seaquarium has come out.
First of all, it details how the attending vet is concerned about four bottle nose dolphins named Ripley, Panama, Onyx, and Sundance (who has since passed away). The vet suspects multiple dolphins have ulcers and foreign bodies, requiring an endoscope for diagnosis. The Seaquarium still hasn’t obtained an endoscope as of this inspection (this issue was noted in prior reports months ago). Some dolphin pools have broken and missing concrete.
The indoor penguin building is noted to have multiple issues. One being the metal frame around the windows rusting and breaking off, leaving sharp edges that could injure a penguin. The paint is peeling and drywall is breaking of in some corners. There are ventilation issues leading to black mold growth on the ceiling and excess dust and debris getting into the exhibit.
Multiple parrot enclosures are noted to also have excess rust. Many wooden perches have been chewed to the point of shortening their length, limiting the mobility of the parrots. Some perches are so smooth that the birds have a hard time gripping onto them. A bonded pair of macaws have plucked each other and a third is plucking itself and is being housed alone. It's noted that there's no special care being taken to help these birds. Roaches have been seen in a parrot's water bowl. A manager has stated that she has unsuccessfully tried to order suitable perching and enrichment for the birds. Parrots are chewing through metal bars and strips of paint are coming off the ceiling.
Both the sea lion pools and the water in the flamingo enclosure have higher than normal counts of coliform bacteria.
As in prior reports, there are still not enough trained employees to care for all the animals.
USDA documented health issues with ‘Sundance’ shortly before the dolphin died at Miami Seaquarium
First of all, it details how the attending vet is concerned about four bottle nose dolphins named Ripley, Panama, Onyx, and Sundance (who has since passed away). The vet suspects multiple dolphins have ulcers and foreign bodies, requiring an endoscope for diagnosis. The Seaquarium still hasn’t obtained an endoscope as of this inspection (this issue was noted in prior reports months ago). Some dolphin pools have broken and missing concrete.
The indoor penguin building is noted to have multiple issues. One being the metal frame around the windows rusting and breaking off, leaving sharp edges that could injure a penguin. The paint is peeling and drywall is breaking of in some corners. There are ventilation issues leading to black mold growth on the ceiling and excess dust and debris getting into the exhibit.
Multiple parrot enclosures are noted to also have excess rust. Many wooden perches have been chewed to the point of shortening their length, limiting the mobility of the parrots. Some perches are so smooth that the birds have a hard time gripping onto them. A bonded pair of macaws have plucked each other and a third is plucking itself and is being housed alone. It's noted that there's no special care being taken to help these birds. Roaches have been seen in a parrot's water bowl. A manager has stated that she has unsuccessfully tried to order suitable perching and enrichment for the birds. Parrots are chewing through metal bars and strips of paint are coming off the ceiling.
Both the sea lion pools and the water in the flamingo enclosure have higher than normal counts of coliform bacteria.
As in prior reports, there are still not enough trained employees to care for all the animals.
USDA documented health issues with ‘Sundance’ shortly before the dolphin died at Miami Seaquarium