After nearly 70 years as one of the first facilities of its kind, the Miami Seaquarium is being ordered to vacate its premises by next month. In a letter from the office of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, The Dolphin Company and its subsidiary MS Leisure Company, Inc. have been notified of the county’s decision to terminate its lease. Citing “numerous and significant violations and defaults,” the park must clear out by April 21st.
“Leasee’s long and troubling history of violations constitute repeated, continuous and longstanding violations of Lessee’s contractual obligations to keep the property in a good state of repair, maintain animals in accordance with applicable law and comply with all laws,” the letter reads.
The notice comes in the wake of federal inspection reports that indicated poor animal care and facility conditions. In February of this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported a sea lion “completely refusing food” while waiting for cataract surgery and a dolphin with a “two-inch nail, mangrove pods, and small pieces of shell in his throat.”
Following these reports, it was learned that the county was seeking to end its lease with the Seaquarium. In response to the allegations and possible lease termination, the park released a statement in January, stating, “Miami Seaquarium is in compliance with federal Animal Welfare Act regulations. It’s important to clarify that, there was no confiscation, and MSQ’s professional staff continues to care for its animals with the same passion, knowledge and dedication they do every day.”
“Despite maintaining open and direct communication with Miami Dade County, MSQ was never asked by our landlord to confirm such information,” the statement continued.
The Miami Seaquarium has not immediately responded to recent news of the lease termination. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Raquel Regalado are expected to hold a news conference this afternoon.
UPDATE: During Thursday’s news conference, Levine Cava described the Seaquarium’s state as “unsustainable and unsafe.”
“They have been the subject of continuous violations, including decaying animal habitats, lack of veterinary staff and a lack of other experienced staff,” she said. “Meanwhile, our number one priority continues to be the safety and wellbeing of the animals.”
Eduardo Albor, the CEO of The Dolphin Company, also showed up to the news conference and said he plans to let his lawyers respond to the eviction notice.