7 days ago
Florida Fish & Wildlife confirm criminal investigation into Gulf World
Panama City, FLA (WMBB) – The Florida Fish & Wildlife commission confirmed for the first time in a post on Facebook that Gulf World Marine Park is under an 'active, ongoing criminal investigation in conjunction with local, state, and federal officials.'
On Wednesday, State Senator Jay Trumbull confirmed that another dolphin had died at the park.
Previously, state agencies such as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed an investigation, but not that it was criminal in nature. Earlier in May, the FDEP served a search warrant on the property. As part of that warrant, officers appeared to be collecting water samples.
In March, the FWC served a search warrant on the property to investigate the 'health and welfare of… marine mammals and those in captivity.' That search was conducted after the FWC was previously denied entry. The criminal investigation appears to be a result of what they found during the search.
The parent company of Gulf World, the Dolphin Company, has filed for bankruptcy. During an April hearing as part of the bankruptcy, an animal welfare expert was hired to oversee the care of animals. A few weeks later, it appears the sea Lions and seals were removed. The dolphins, however, remained on the property.
In a post on X, Bay County native Congressman Jimmy Patronis said he wants 'those responsible … held to account and to protect these amazing animals.'
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