The company that owns the embattled Miami Seaquarium has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as a new report from this year cites conditions at the facility that left several dolphins injured.
The company that owns the embattled Miami Seaquarium has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as a new report from this year cites conditions at the facility that left several dolphins injured.
The Dolphin Company announced in a news release Monday that it voluntarily filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to restructure its business and address financial challenges.
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WATCH HERE“This strategic move aims to address short-term liquidity needs and resolve challenges regarding the company's capital structure, while ensuring the continuation of its operations and placing a strong emphasis on animal safety and wellbeing," The Dolphin Company said in a statement.
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"This restructuring will best enable the company to restructure under Chapter 11, a well-recognized court-approved process, while improving the welfare of our animals, ensuring a seamless experience for employees, and delivering an enhanced guest experience," said Steve Strom, who now oversees The Dolphin Company as a result of the Chapter 11 filing.
This comes as another troubling U.S. Department of Agriculture report comes to light. Filed in January, the USDA reported dangerously low water levels in the dolphins' tank, which led to four dolphins sustaining injuries.
The report also cited that the Seaquarium lacked proper documentation of employee training in animal care and handling.
The report mentions that corrective actions were implemented and compliance was restored by the time of inspection.
Miami-Dade County has been trying to terminate the Seaquarium's lease over unpaid rent, but a judge denied the county's motion for an immediate eviction last November.
"We just learned about this yesterday, and our highest concern has always been for the wellbeing of the animals," Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said Tuesday. "And of course we've gotta see exactly how this is going to move forward now that there's a bankruptcy proceeding but we will continue as always to focus on the wellbeing of the animals."
Animal welfare groups like PETA have been vocal in supporting the eviction.
"The financial failure of the Miami Seaquarium’s parent company comes as no surprise to PETA or the world, which was rightly outraged when this dismal marine mammal prison let the lone orca Lolita languish and die," PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien said in a statement. "Confining animals to tiny tanks and forcing them to perform for food is a losing business model, and this bankruptcy must not be used to keep this operation afloat. The Miami Seaquarium must be shut down and the animals must be sent to reputable facilities that can finally get them the care they desperately need."
A first hearing on the bankruptcy filing is scheduled for Wednesday in Delaware.
