PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) — State Senator Jay Trumbull confirmed that another dolphin has died at Gulf World Marine Park on Wednesday.
Trumbull posted the news on his Facebook page.
The post reports that this marks the second dolphin death at the park since March, bringing the total to five since last October. Trumbull described this trend as alarming and intolerable.
The park also closed unexpectedly and will remain closed until June 3.
Issues at the park emerged concurrently with the initial dolphin deaths in October. Malfunctions in pool filters permitted algae growth, causing the water to be dense with green clumps.
The owners, the Dolphin Company, have declared bankruptcy in both Mexico and the U.S.
The court has appointed at least one expert to make sure the animals are safe, not only at Gulf World, but all of the Dolphin Company’s parks.
Some of the sea lions and seals were reportedly moved to another facility earlier this month.
Various organizations, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and multiple local authorities, are conducting investigations into various facets of the park’s operations.
None have forced the owners to move the animals to a safer facility. However, that may soon change.
In his post, Trumbull called on the FWC to “act decisively”, “go in immediately, remove the remaining animals, and ensure they are relocated to a safe and appropriate environment.”
Trumbull concluded by saying, “This is no longer about protocols and paperwork, it’s about doing what is right. These animals are suffering. The public is watching. And the time to act is now.”
News 13 called Gulf World but only got a recording.
