MIAMI — Animals at the now-closed Miami Seaquarium are considered assets in a bankruptcy case, and a new court filing outlines where some of them could be sent.
The proposal includes transferring three harbor seals and nine sea lions to Sea Lion Splash LLC, a traveling show that appears at state fairs and rodeos across the country.
Animal rights advocates, including Amanda Brody of PETA, have expressed concern, citing past violations by the company.
Brody said the animals “are sentient animals and they don’t deserve to be used as props for photos” and added that they “should be free to live their lives as they wish and not be forced to perform circus-style tricks.”
“Every animal is someone, and sea lions feel pain and fear,” Brody added. “It’s no life for any animal, and the best thing anyone can do is by not buying a ticket to any marine park that uses animals or any circus that continues to use animals.”
A 2021 U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection of Sea Lion Splash at the Madison, Alabama, fairgrounds cited expired medication, inadequate space, water-quality concerns, and insufficient ventilation in transport trailers for California sea lions.
Tricia Nicewicz, a former Miami Seaquarium trainer and now an attorney, said even if those violations were fixed, the traveling-show environment would stress the animals.
“Things that were said were easily remedied,” she said. “That being said, this would take animals used to a stable, consistent environment and move them into a dynamic environment, where they’re constantly on the move.”
Nicewicz emphasized that reputable marine mammal facilities that prioritize rescue and rehabilitation exist. “These animals could be rehabilitated and potentially released if appropriate, or sent to an actual reputable facility that would provide adequate veterinary care,” she said.
Meanwhile, Brody urged the public to consider where they spend their money, noting that “PETA is pleading for these animals to be allowed some semblance of a normal life at a reputable facility.”
The case highlights the broader challenge of finding homes for marine mammals as public interest in captive entertainment declines, according to Nicewicz.
“The more places like the Miami Seaquarium close down, the more marine animals are displaced and have nowhere to go,” she said. “Unfortunately, there isn’t a perfect solution, but we can support accredited facilities that prioritize animal welfare.”
The Miami Seaquarium has been closed to the public since 2021, and it remains unclear when or where the animals will be permanently relocated.
Read the court filing below:
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