MIAMI — Miami-Dade County officials confirmed Wednesday that a 22-year-old chronically ill dolphin at the Miami Seaquarium has died.
“The County was notified by the court late last night (Tuesday) that the dolphin died,” a spokesperson for Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces wrote in an email to Local 10 News. “The USDA has been notified and the dolphin will be sent to UF.”
A source told Local 10 News that the dolphin was Bimini.
Bimini was among several at the Seaquarium who had recently ingested hazardous objects.
On Oct. 13, 2024, trainers discovered a broken bolt in her mouth.
Earlier, another dolphin, Ripley, had been found with a two-inch nail, mangrove pods, and small pieces of shell lodged in his throat.
Since December, two animals flagged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for health issues and “inadequate” veterinary care have died at the Miami Seaquarium: Sundance the dolphin and Sushi the sea lion.
Federal inspectors have previously noted multiple issues with the Seaquarium’s indoor and outdoor facilities, according to a Local 10 News report from Feb. 7, 2024.
Former Miami Seaquarium veterinarian Dr. Jenna Wallace said she took photos of Bimini back in 2021 when employed at the facility which was about a year before the county signed a lease agreement with the facility’s current operator, The Dolphin Company.
“This was Bimini when I was there. She had fractured ribs and a pericardial effusion from being attacked when the males broke through the zip tied fences.”
“Within the last 5 years at least 17 marine mammals have died at Miami Seaquarium. This number does not include fish, sharks, birds, or reptiles. The facility was run down and the corporate and onsite employees I interacted with did not prioritize the animals. The diet cuts for Toki (Lolita) and many of the animals began in 2021 with a specific trainer and were perpetuated by later staff. A federal investigation that I was the key witness in was conducted in 2021 but was never released. There have been multiple federal, state, and local inspections but nothing has been done to stop the death of these animals. Miami Seaquarium and multiple employees that have obstructed justice and used food deprivation have not faced any consequences. This is one of the most tragic failures in animal welfare and federal oversight.”
While the County said the dolphin was 22-years-old, several former employees say the dolphin that died was Bimini and that she was 26-years-old.
That includes Daniel Wehking, an attorney and former Miami Seaquarium animal caretaker and diver.
“Bimini was a 26-year-old dolphin born in the Miami Seaquarium to her famous mother Nosey who was known for her role as Snowflake in Ace Ventura Pet Detective,” said Wehking.
He said Bimini constantly suffered during her ownership by The Dolphin Company over the past three years.
“After having her ribs broken by other dolphins on multiple occasions The Dolphin Company eventually moved her to a new pool. She needed a bronchoscopy to deal with her breathing issues that The Dolphin Company refused to pay for,” said Wehking.
“Bimini lived long enough to show she was not inherently infirm but not long enough to die of old age,” he added. “The Dolphin Company’s failure to properly care for Bimini is responsible for her death. The USDA’s failure to confiscate an animal they knew was suffering is responsible for Bimini’s death,” he added.
Local 10 News has yet to hear back for requests for comment from The Dolphin Company, who we first reached out to when a tip of the dolphin’s death came into the newsroom.
Local 10 News also reported on the ongoing statewide criminal investigation involving the Florida-based Dolphin Company, which comes amid bankruptcy and eviction proceedings connected to its operations.
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