MIAMI – A newly-released inspection report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture details more troubling findings regarding animal health and structural safety at the Miami Seaquarium.
They range from dolphins ingesting foreign objects, rusted bird cages, an ant infestation inside a veterinary clinic and a sea lion slowly going blind due to painful cataracts, failing to get necessary surgery.
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It was all part of a routine, Oct. 16 inspection of the marine park by USDA officials. It’s far from the first time they’ve noted such concerns; in July, for instance, inspectors noted, among other things, one dolphin with rib fractures and another with cement in its digestive tract.
In January, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced plans to terminate the Seaquarium’s lease over animal welfare concerns. Park officials issued a rebuttal two days later, saying the park holds itself to “high standards of animal care.”
But the newly-released report details a number of standards inspectors from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said the park failed to meet.
Veterinary care
The report tells the story of a sea lion named “Sushi.”
A Sept. 26 medical record noted that Sushi, an adult female, was “holding her right eye closed and rubbing both eyes.”
Veterinarians noted that she needed cataract surgery scheduled “soon,” but the facility didn’t take steps to do so, the report states.
Two days later, the medical records noted Sushi was slow to eat. By Oct. 11, she was “variably refusing food.” By Oct. 15, “she was completely refusing food, due to eye pain.”
Records also showed a lack of functional and necessary diagnostic equipment, including tools necessary for ultrasounds, radiography, or endoscopies.
Facility safety, cleanliness
In the report, federal inspectors noted multiple issues with the Seaquarium’s facilities, indoors and out.
On Sept. 22, dolphin “Ripley” presented to trainers with concerning findings: “a two-inch nail, mangrove pods and small pieces of shell in his throat.”
He wasn’t the only dolphin ingesting dangerous items.
On Oct. 14, dolphin “Bimini” had a “broken bolt in her mouth.”
“Enclosures that are not kept in good repair may produce foreign material which could be ingested and become injurious to the animals,” inspectors noted.
Inspectors also found fences in disrepair, plus excessive rust, poor ventilation and apparent mold growth in various bird enclosures.
They also found ant infestations in veterinary clinic cabinets containing vitamins and supplements for marine mammals and birds.
Dolphin kicked in face
Under the header “Handling of animals,” the USDA inspectors noted an Aug. 1 incident where a guest kicked a male dolphin, “Zo,” in the mouth during an animal encounter.
“During the interaction, the guest did not grab on to the dolphin, and ‘Zo’ sank and circled the guest with his mouth open,” inspectors wrote. “‘Zo’ ignored two hand slaps from trainers to call him back from the guest. The guest was kicking frantically in the water which led to ‘Zo’ being kicked in the mouth.”
The inspectors conclude, “Inadequate handling or control of animals during public interactions can lead to injury of the public and the animals. During public exhibition, any animal must be handled so there is minimal risk of harm to the animal and to the public.”
In a statement to Local 10 News, a spokesperson for The Dolphin Company, which operates the Seaquarium, said, “(a)s confirmed by the USDA, Miami Seaquarium is in compliance with federal Animal Welfare Act regulations.”
“Since The Dolphin Company assumed the operations of Miami Seaquarium, improvements have been made to its animal care programs,” the statement reads. “The USDA was complimentary of the steps Miami Seaquarium and its dedicated team of animal professionals has taken in that regard. Miami Seaquarium remains open and operating under the lease agreement as executed by Miami-Dade County.”
Read the full report: