Dolphin drama in Florida: dirty pools and desperate rescue!

Dolphin drama in Florida: dirty pools and desperate rescue!

Panama City Beach, Florida, USA - The Dolphin Company, operator of over 30 water parks worldwide, registered bankruptcy in March 2025. This had drastic consequences for the marine mammals who lived in these facilities. After the bankruptcy, eleven dolphins were left in dirty pools in the Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. The filter systems of the pools were no longer maintained collegially, which led to algae formation and extremely dirty water. Activists of the Tidebreakers animal protection group documented the catastrophic conditions using drone shots that showed the algae -contaminated water and pointed out the consequences for the dolphins.

In the eight months before the rescue, five dolphins died, including 14-year-old dolphin Jett, who broke his neck when jumping into flat water. The other animals vegetated in their tanks in unsustainable conditions. Activists reported that some dolphins had permanent eye problems due to the heavily dirty water because they could no longer open their eyes.

rescue actions and their consequences

In early June 2025, seven of the dolphins left behind were transported to another water park in St. Augustine. This was also described as inadequate by animal rights activists. Nevertheless, this was a first step to free the animals from their emergency. Four other dolphins were saved by US authorities and taken to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. There they now receive medical help and species -appropriate care, but will spend the rest of their lives in captivity because they are considered "non -exhaustive".

The Dolphin Company plans to improve the situation and announced that it would like to continue to operate all 30 parks after a restructuring. Despite the massive criticism of the way of keeping large marine mugs, which also include other animals such as sea lions and sea kows, the Dolphin Company sees an economic new beginning than necessary. The fate of two orcas and 14 dolphins in Marineland Antibes in France has meanwhile been uncertain since the park was closed in January 2025.

These incidents also make a highlight of the increasing criticism of the attitude of marine mugs in captivity and the often neglected responsibility of the operators. Animal welfare organizations have long been calling for better standards to be guaranteed for the well -being of the animals. So it remains to be seen how the Dolphin Company will position itself in the future and whether it will take into account the required changes.

For more information and details about this scandalous incident, you can report the reports from Krone , 20 minutes and read.