The management of Miami Seaquarium, now under new administration, is looking to alleviate its ongoing cash problems by seeking legal authority to sell hundreds of marine mammals without requiring prior court approval for each transaction.
This move has raised concerns about the welfare of the animals involved, including dolphins, sea lions, seals, and manatees.
Shanna Simpson, a former trainer at the Seaquarium, expressed her apprehension regarding the potential impacts of such sales, emphasizing that proper transportation of marine animals is a delicate process that requires specialized teams.,
“There’s just so many things that could go wrong,” she said, highlighting the stress animal transfers can inflict on the creatures.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein authorized two firms last week to commence the sales process aimed at addressing the Seaquarium’s asset liquidations.
According to the current owners, the sale of marine mammals could begin in a few weeks or months, either as individual property sales or as part of a more profitable ongoing operation of certain parks.
In court documents, the owners asserted that animal safety remains a top priority but have provided little in the way of detailed plans concerning how the anticipated animal relocations will be managed.
The ownership group’s filing states that it is in the best interest of stakeholders to sell assets promptly without needing to navigate further legal hurdles or obtain additional approvals.
Currently, the ownership group has indicated there are 295 dolphins, 51 sea lions, 18 manatees, and 18 seals among the approximately 30 properties that are part of the Dolphin Company brand.
They referred to these animals as “miscellaneous assets” in their filings.
This classification has sparked backlash from animal advocates like Simpson, who argue that referring to living beings as assets is dehumanizing.
“These are real, live animals that have impacted millions of people in Miami-Dade,” she stated.
The Miami-Dade County government is also involved in the bankruptcy case as it owns the Virginia Key property that has housed the Seaquarium since the 1960s.
The County is currently attempting to evict the Seaquarium, alleging violations of lease terms and concerns related to animal welfare.
However, the eviction process is on hold due to the bankruptcy proceedings.
A hearing regarding the proposed animal sales is scheduled for July 23.
During a recent court session, Judge Silverstein received updates on former Dolphin Company CEO Eduardo Albor, who continues to contest his removal from the company’s leadership.
Judge Silverstein imposed civil sanctions against Albor, assessing $10,000 per day for his continued litigation in Mexican courts, which she found to be in violation of her prior orders.
Despite these directives, an attorney representing Albor filed a declaration asserting that his actions did not breach the judge’s orders and that he was exercising his rights according to Mexican law.
In the interim, two U.S. law firms have withdrawn from Albor’s defense team, with one citing nonpayment as the reason for their departure.
Concurrently, lenders have infused an additional $10 million into the transitional company to support its emergence from bankruptcy.
However, they have cautioned that this assistance cannot continue indefinitely without access to the company’s wider cash flows.
Lenders have accused Albor of diverting funds from potentially more profitable attractions located in Mexico.
In response to these developments, Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado has been designated by her colleagues to advocate for the County’s interests in the case.
Regalado explained that while the County does not own the marine mammals, it can only become involved if the animals’ health is compromised.
She added that the County’s oversight may ultimately require cooperation from the USDA, the agency responsible for regulating animal parks, to ensure the animals’ safety.
Regalado is scheduled to meet with the new management team later this week to gather more information regarding the proposed sales process.
Animal welfare advocates like Simpson hope that governmental authorities will become more engaged in safeguarding the animals during this tumultuous transition.
“These are some of the most intelligent animals on the planet,” she emphasized, describing the situation as a complex, emotional saga that many wish to avoid.
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