Gulf world dolphin death

Fifth dolphin death at Gulf World Marine Park in under a year sparks condemnation, outcry



A fifth dolphin has died at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach within the past year.

Florida Senator Jay Trumbull and Representative Philip Griffitts are calling for the remaining animals to be removed from the park.

The park has been under scrutiny for water quality issues and previous dolphin deaths.

Local protests are planned in response to the ongoing situation.


PANAMA CITY BEACH — Another dolphin has died at Gulf World Marine Park. This is the fifth confirmed dolphin death in the past year.

The latest death was confirmed by state Sen. Jay Trumbull in a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 28. Yet another dolphin death after months of public outrage, media frenzy and bankruptcy proceedings seems to have the senator fed up.



"While we recognize the jurisdictional complexities, the time for caution and coordination has passed," said Trumbull in a Facebook post. "These animals cannot wait any longer."

He says his office acted immediately to coordinate with every relevant agency when it became aware of issues at the park.

Parts of the facility were issued warnings by the cit

Three dolphin deaths at Florida marine park raise trainer concerns over conditions




PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. − Three relatively young dolphins have died at a Florida marine park in recent weeks, raising concerns among experts about conditions at the aquarium, which has been cited in past federal inspections for inadequate facilities.

Turk, 15, and Gus, 14, both bottlenose dolphins, died in early October, Gulf World Marine Park announced on Facebook. Park ownership separately confirmed the death of Nate, 20, also a bottlenose. Male bottlenose dolphins can live at least 40 years, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The deaths raised concerns among experts, including Valerie Greene, who spent 11 years as a trainer at SeaWorld Orlando, and later served as a chair at the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association. She reached out to the Panama City News Herald, part of the USA TODAY Network, and said she knew Turk, Gus and Nate as babies from her time working at SeaWorld.

"The deaths of dolphins in rapid succession is deeply troubling," Greene said. Former staff members at the park have reached out to her, too, she said, amid worries the facil

Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomes dolphins from Gulf World amid investigation into 5 dolphin deaths



CLEARWATER, Fla.
- Four dolphins from a panhandle aquarium that’s under investigation after five dolphins died in over a six-month span, arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Tuesday. 

What we know:

The four female rough-toothed dolphins are named Doris, Kitana, Dagny and Wren and are estimated to be 28, 18, 10 and 5 years of age.  


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According to CMA, the facility’s veterinary and animal care teams will observe and evaluate the dolphins as they adjust to their new environment.  



Courtesy: Clearwater Marine Aquarium



What's next:

Once they acclimate, CMA says the four dolphins will be introduced to the other rough-toothed and bottlenose dolphins who call the facility home. 

CMA, which gained international fame for caring for Winter, a dolphin with a prosthetic tail, is currently the only aquarium in the United States that cares for rough-toothed dolphins. The addition of these dolphins will bring CMA’s total dolphin popu

All dolphins are out of Gulf World Marine Park, which is closed until further notice.



All dolphins have been relocated from Gulf World Marine Park following five deaths and public outcry over conditions.

Four dolphins were moved to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, while seven went to other facilities owned by The Dolphin Company, despite concerns from officials and activists.


PANAMA CITY BEACH — All of the dolphins have been relocated from Gulf World Marine Park to other facilities. What's happening now?



Five dolphin deaths in less than a year, scathing inspection reports, public outcry, and footage released of green water with algae in the dolphin tanks led political leaders and government officials to work swiftly in getting the dolphins out of the park. A chaotic bankruptcy on behalf of the park's owners at The Dolphin Company led to delays with the relocation.

Animal advocates and government officials partly won, with four of the dolphins being moved to a facility not owned by The Dolphin Company, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The remaining seven were moved to facilities owned by the company, with four going to Marineland Dolphin Adventure near St. Augustine and three