Latest news with #Tidebreakers
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Dolphins trapped in bankrupt marine park 'going blind with eyes jammed shut'
A rotting zoo, where a number of dolphins have already died in mysterious circumstances, remains open despite recent raids by authorities Fears have been raised for a number of dolphins trapped in filthy tanks after their marine park's company went bankrupt. The bottlenose dolphins, who are still performing tricks for crowds, have no choice but to endure human encounters with customers who pay $130 (£97) to swim in their enclosure and hug the mammals. And now campaigners are concerned they are going blind after they were filmed swimming with their eyes "jammed shut" in the murky water. Green algae has started growing in the crumbling tanks at Gulf World, in Florida's Panama City Beach, and inspectors from the US Department of Agriculture scraped nearly six inches of algae off the step of one of the pools. READ MORE: Theme park left abandoned and 'frozen in time' where Orca whales still alive left to rot In a scathing report, the inspectors found a litany of concerns for the wild animals. The filter in one of the dolphins' tanks stopped working last November, and the filter in the second tank only works at 50% capacity, meaning they have been swimming around in their own filth for six months. The animals had been moved to a separate pool so staff could 'shock' the water with granular chlorine to treat the algae growth. But the harsh chemical can cause blindness in dolphins after repeated exposure, and aerial footage from campaign group Tidebreakers has suggested the poor water quality is already causing them health problems. Four of the dolphins have died in mysterious circumstances within six months, including one in March that landed on its head in front of children in a shallow part of the pool. Jett, who was 14 and had lived his entire life at Gulf World, dove head-first into the shallows during the lunchtime show, causing a fatal brain injury, and crying park staff had to usher families out of the arena so medics could treat the dying animal. Experts later suggested Jett could have misjudged his jump due to the murkiness of the water, which has been the subject of concern for months. Three more dolphins died within a week of each other last October. Gus, 14, was euthanised for a life-threatening condition, 15-year-old Turk contracted a bacterial lung disease, and Nate, 20, died from systemic infection, according to the Marine Mammal Inventory Report. In the wild, bottlenose dolphins have a natural life expectancy of 40 years. The park has been raided by authorities on several occasions, most recently on May 14 when officials from Florida Department of Environmental Protection executed a search warrant as part of a multi-agency investigation. And in January, law enforcement officers served a search warrant after the park refused access to Florida fish and wildlife conservation commission (FWC) rangers who wanted to conduct a wellness check on the animals. A US Department of Agriculture report the same month found the sea lion pools were rusty and in a state of disrepair with paint flaking off, while cracked and broken concrete surrounded one of the dolphin pools. Powdered concrete was found in the water, and there wasn't adequate shade for the dolphins. Earlier this month, the city of Panama City Beach sent Gulf World an abatement letter following from an inspection on March 27 which revealed the unsafe conditions at the park. Experts found the stingray petting pool had electrical deficiencies and needed to be drained, with better pump motors installed. This was "indicative of additional underlying damage to structural integrity and the electrical system, posing an immediate threat to the safety of invitees", said the letter. "Based on the evidence of damage, deterioration and dilapidation, and upon consultation with the City Attorney, the city deems these areas to be unsafe," it added. The letter told Gulf World to vacate the unsafe areas immediately and gave it 30 days to obtain permits and start the repair work. If those conditions weren't met, the letter added, the city will be authorised to "take any action necessary" to resolve the issues on the property. The situation has been complicated by Gulf World's parent company, Mexico-based The Dolphin Company, declaring bankruptcy. According to reports, the former CEO allegedly used armed guards to wrestle back control of the company's HQ in Cancun, and the chaotic situation has made it difficult for local authorities to get involved. The Dolphin Company and its subsidiaries own another 30 marine parks around the world, including the Miami Seaquarium and Marineland Florida. Miami Seaquarium was ordered to close last year following the deaths of 120 wales and dolphins, including Lolita, the captive orca who performed for crowds for more than 50 years. Tidebreakers campaigners said: "Despite Gulf World's owners filing for bankruptcy, and two consecutive raids by local, state and federal authorities, the park remains open. "The water is still green and the tanks are filled with algae. Dolphins are still being kept in tiny holding tanks. Swimming with their eyes jammed shut in the murky water. The park's horrific conditions haven't stopped guests from entering the water, where animals are still forced into interactions. "The interaction tank's water is noticeably cleaner, however we're concerned that it was 'cleaned' by the use of shocking the tank with granular chlorine, which Gulf World was cited for in the January 14, 2025 USDA inspection report. Granular chlorine and poor water quality in general, can cause blindness after repeated exposure." The group added: "The dolphins haven't had working filtration since November 2024. They are clearly suffering. "Despite reports of some of the turtles being moved during the last raid, this endangered green sea turtle remains trapped in the filthy green water, in a crumbling rusty tank swimming in the same repetitive pattern we reported on months ago. When will the rest of the animals get rescued? Enough is enough."
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Time running out for abandoned orcas left to rot in 'zombie' marine park
Time running out for abandoned orcas left to rot in 'zombie' marine park The two killer whales, Wikie and her son Keijo, have been left abandoned in a rotting marine zoo after it closed permanently in January and now face an uncertain future An aerial view of the now-closed Hotel Marineland in Antibes, France (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images ) Time is ticking for two captive killer whales abandoned in a deteriorating marine zoo. Wikie, aged 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo are confined to a decaying enclosure, aimlessly swimming around as they await an uncertain future. Born in captivity, these orcas could never survive in the wild. They were left behind in their dilapidated tanks when Marineland Antibes in southern France permanently shut its doors in January 2025. Now devoid of any mental stimulation, the orcas are compelled to seek enrichment within their enclosure as green algae gradually engulfs the deserted park. Orcas now swim aimlessly in their small enclosures at the now shut down facility Aerial footage captured by activist group Tidebreakers reveals the grim conditions in which the animals now exist. Green slime accumulates around the perimeter of their pool, while an adjacent tank is half-filled with murky brown water, reports the Mirror. In a nearby smaller tank, 12 stranded bottlenose dolphins are the only other occupants of the park. Their fate also remains unknown. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here A minimal staff team visits to feed the animals, fulfilling the management company's legal care requirements, but they provide little in terms of mental enrichment - a crucial aspect for the well-being of bonded pod orcas. Article continues below Wikie and Keijo, the final pair of captive orcas in France, have spent years entertaining audiences with performances at Marineland. They are currently under the park's legal guardianship until a new home is found for them, although their owners have declared that the orcas must "leave now" for their own well-being. "Marineland reaffirms the extreme urgency of transferring the animals to an operational destination," the park stated. Speaking to the Mirror, Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of Tidebreakers, shared the distressing news that half of the orcas' pod has already perished. Wikie's son Moana passed away unexpectedly in 2023 at just 12 years old, followed by her other son Inouk, who died after swallowing a small piece of metal that had fallen into his enclosure. Dolphins also remain at the theme park "We know from reviewing footage [of Marineland] that the tank is causing a hazard," Marketa remarked. "We know that it's not being cleaned, it's falling apart. It's a hazard for these orca every day." "We are very worried that the situation is so critical, and the water quality is deteriorating to the point that it's going to cause health issues to these whales, and they're going to be euthanised before they get a chance to actually see a sanctuary," she said, "which is tragic because the male, Keijo, is only 11 years old, the mother is 23. Orcas in the wild can live to human age, outside of captivity they can live to 70 or 80 years old." A proposed transfer to Loro Parque marine zoo in Tenerife was recently thwarted, despite the zoo housing four of its own captive orcas including a calf born this March. The scientific panel that must sanction any relocations stated that the new enclosure would "not meet the minimum requirements in terms of surface area, volume and depth necessary to house the specimens in optimal conditions". An alternative relocation to a marine park in Japan was similarly dismissed while French ecology minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher expressed her desire in February to locate a European sanctuary for the duo, yet has not identified an appropriate venue. Campaigners are advocating for the mother and son orcas to be transferred to a facility in Nova Scotia, Canada where they would enjoy a 1,00-acre bay enclosed by 1,600m of secure nets. The Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) insists their site is the "only option left" for Wikie and Keijo, offering them a space far greater than any pool. Aerial footage shot by Tidebreakers activists brought out the grim condition at the now shut down theme park However, Tidebreakers dispute the readiness of the WSP initiative, voicing concerns that the orcas may perish "before WSP has even got a stick in the ground". Marketa envisions the ideal solution as the construction of temporary holding tanks tailored to the orcas' needs until a lasting sanctuary can be established for their permanent residence. "Quite simply, if Wikie and Keijo are left in these conditions, they're going to get sick and die," she warned. WSP's CEO Charles Vinick had previously been involved in the sanctuary created for Keiko, the black-and-white star of the 1993 film Free Willy. Keiko was born in the wild and taken into captivity in 1979 when he was only two years old. Keiko was captured off the coast of Iceland and sold to various theme parks where he was made to perform tricks. He became reliant on human interaction and was 'hired' by Warner Brothers to be the star of their film. Keiko began filming in 1992 but his health deteriorated throughout production. He developed skin issues, stomach ulcers and lost a significant amount of weight - so much so that when Free Willy was released in cinemas, hundreds of thousands of viewers called a phone line pleading for Keiko to be freed. Article continues below In response to the public outcry, Warner Brothers agreed to retire their star performer and Keiko was moved to an aquarium in Oregon to begin his recovery. His trainers were instructed not to make eye contact with him to lessen his dependency on humans - but their sudden change in behaviour only confused him. He eventually managed to relearn some survival skills and was released into the wild in 2002 with a pod of orcas he joined. Tragically, he died just a year later from pneumonia after contracting an infection.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Theme park abandoned and frozen in time where Orca whales left to rot alive
Killer whales Wikie, 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo, who have spent their whole lives in captivity, have been left inside their crumbling tank five months after the closure of their home. Now campaigners say they're at risk of dying from their unsanitary conditions Time is running out for two killer whales who have been left abandoned in a rotting marine zoo - and they could die without urgent intervention. Wikie, who is 23, and her 11-year-old son Keijo spend their long days mindlessly swimming around the same crumbling enclosure as their fate hangs in the balance. The orcas, who were both born in captivity so could never survive in the wild, were left in their decaying tanks when Marineland Antibes in southern France closed permanently in January 2025. Now left without any mental stimulation, the orcas are forced to fill their days searching for enrichment in their enclosure as green algae slowly covers the abandoned park. Aerial footage taken by activists Tidebreakers above the rotting theme park shows the grim conditions, in which the animals now live. Green slime gathers around the boundary of their pool, while a neighbouring tank is half-full of murky brown water. In a nearby small tank, 12 stranded bottlenose dolphins are the only other inhabitants of the park - and nobody knows what will happen to them, either. A skeleton staff come in to feed the animals to meet the management company's legal requirements for care, but are not providing much in the way of mental enrichment - vital for bonded pod orcas. Wikie and Keijo are the last two captive orcas in France, and spent years performing tricks with their trainers for braying crowds. They remain under the legal protection of the Marineland management until they can be rehomed, but their owners have insisted the orcas must "leave now" for their own welfare. "Marineland reaffirms the extreme urgency of transferring the animals to an operational destination," it added. Marketa Schusterova, co-founder of Tidebreakers, told the Mirror how the two orcas have already lost half of their bonded pod. Wikie's son Moana died suddenly in 2023 at the age of just 12, and her other son Inouk was killed a year afterwards by ingesting a tiny piece of metal that fell into his tank. "We know from reviewing footage [of Marineland] that the tank is causing a hazard," says Marketa. "We know that it's not being cleaned, it's falling apart. It's a hazard for these orca every day. "We are very worried that the situation is so critical, and the water quality is deteriorating to the point that it's going to cause health issues to these whales, and they're going to be euthanised before they get a chance to actually see a sanctuary," she added, "which is tragic because the male, Keijo, is only 11 years old, the mother is 23. Orcas in the wild can live to human age, outside of captivity they can live to 70 or 80 years old." A potential move to Loro Parque marine zoo in Tenerife was recently blocked, despite the zoo being home to four of its own captive orcas - including a calf born in March this year - on the grounds that their new tank would "not meet the minimum requirements in terms of surface area, volume and depth necessary to house the specimens in optimal conditions", according to the scientific panel that needs to approve any moves. Another move to a marine park in Japan was also ruled out, while the French ecology minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher said in February that she wanted to find a European sanctuary for the pair - but hadn't yet found a suitable site. Some campaigners are calling for the mother and son pair to be moved to a site in Canada's Nova Scotia, where they would have the run of a 1,00-acre bay cordoned off with 1,600m of escape-proof nets. The Whale Sanctuary Project (WSP) say their site is the "only option left" for Wikie and Keijo, where they would be free to swim somewhere bigger than a pool. But Tidebreakers argue that the WSP project isn't anywhere near ready and fear the orcas will die "before WSP has even got a stick in the ground". The best outcome, Marketa believes, would be to create temporary holding tanks custom-built to the orcas' specifications until a permanent sanctuary can be made for their forever home. "Quite simply, if Wikie and Keijo are left in these conditions, they're going to get sick and die," she added. WSP's CEO Charles Vinick was previously involved in the sanctuary built to house Keiko, the black-and-white star of 1993 film Free Willy, who had been born in the wild and taken into captivity in 1979 when he was just two years old. Keiko was captured off the coast of Iceland and sold to various theme parks, made to perform tricks. He became dependent on human contact, and was 'hired' by Warner Brothers to be the star of their movie. Keiko began filming in 1992 but his health declined throughout production. He developed skin problems, stomach ulcers and lost weight drastically - so much so that when Free Willy was released in cinemas, hundreds of thousands of viewers rang a phone line begging for Keiko to be freed. In response to the outcry, Warner Brothers agreed to retire their star performer and Keiko was moved to an aquarium in Oregon to begin his recovery. His instructors were told not to make eye contact with him to reduce his dependency on humans - but their sudden change in behaviour only confused him. He eventually managed to relearn some survival skills and was released into the wild in 2002 with a pod of orcas he joined. Tragically, he died just a year later from pneumonia after picking up an infection.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Animals potentially removed from Gulf World Marine Park
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – There's been some activity at Gulf World Marine Park that is leading some people to believe animals are being moved from the facility. The activity follows Tuesday's bankruptcy court announcement that former owner, the dolphin company, has hired an animal welfare expert that's already checking the companies different parks. Some of the animals may have been moved from Gulf World. On the park's website, they've removed some of the encounter experiences. The second clue is some photos taken inside the park. Gulf World Marine Park's website no longer offers the sea lion encounter, seal lion meet and greet, and the harbor seal encounter. Gulf World loses International Alliance Accreditation On another page, the company states the sea lion stadium is closed for is unclear when the activities involving the animals stopped. Then Wednesday, the Facebook page called Tidebreakers featured pictures of empty pools at Gulf World. Tidebreakers has been following the Gulf World story for several months. However, the concern over the sea lions and seals is not new. USDA inspection reports, dating as far back as a year, show several problems with the sea lion stadium. The reports highlight the main concerns as chipped paint in pools, rusting, and broken concrete. The latest inspection in January found these problems and more. Inspectors found a 'deteriorating' shade structure over the public seating area of the sea lion stadium and a broken ramp for the animals. At that time, the facility was housing four sea lions and two seals. There's no word as to how many were there earlier this month, and if they're still there or they've been move elsewhere. News 13 spoke with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday. Officials confirm their investigation of Gulf World Marine Park is still active. The Dolphin Company officials and the company that's handling the reorganizational bankruptcy are expected to talk more about the animals at the next court hearing on May 5th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
