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The death of Samira, a 9-year-old bottlenose dolphin, marked the fifth such fatality at Gulf World Marine Park in just eight months. It was a tipping point—not just for the park, but for state officials, protestors, and animal welfare advocates who had long warned of systemic issues behind the scenes.
Located in Panama City Beach, the marine park is now closed to the public. Its owner, The Dolphin Company, is facing a criminal investigation by the Florida Attorney General’s office, and pressure is mounting for permanent changes to the way captive marine mammals are handled across the state.
Credit: Gulf World Marine Park
For many observers, the current moment recalls an earlier era of public reckoning. In 2013, the documentary Blackfish triggered global backlash against SeaWorld for its treatment of orcas, spurring policy reforms, attendance drops, and eventually the end of its orca breeding program. Gulf World was never at the center of that storm. But over time, it found itself caught in the same tide.
Relocations Approved, But Destination Raises Questions
After weeks of outcry, the Florida theme park has confirmed that Gulf World will transfer seven of its bottlenose dolphins to Marineland Dolphin Adventure in St. Augustine. The move was made possible by an emergency waiver issued by NOAA on May 30, according to reporting by WJHG. TideBreakers, an activist group that has long tracked the park’s operations, shared video footage of relocation preparations on May 31.
The relocation has not been universally welcomed. Marineland is also owned by The Dolphin Company, which filed for bankruptcy this year and has been cited for multiple facility issues. A recent inspection flagged concerns ranging from flaking paint and damaged infrastructure to improperly stored medication and fencing problems.
Credit: Gulf World Marine Park
“According to recent media report the 7 bottlenose dolphins will be moved from Gulf World to Marineland in St. Augustine, another deplorable hell hole owned by The Dolphin Company, who is under criminal investigation by the state of Florida,” TideBreakers wrote in a widely shared post.
BREAKING:
According to recent media report the 7 bottlenose dolphins will be moved from Gulf World to Marineland in St. Augustine, another deplorable hell hole owned by The Dolphin Company, who is under criminal investigation by the state of Florida.
More updates soon.
BREAKING:
According to recent media report the 7 bottlenose dolphins will be moved from Gulf World to Marineland in St. Augustine, another deplorable hell hole owned by The Dolphin Company, who is under criminal investigation by the state of Florida.
More updates soon. pic.twitter.com/X4nTHP661O— TideBreakers (@tide_breakers) June 2, 2025
Four remaining rough-toothed dolphins are expected to be transferred to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, a facility not affiliated with The Dolphin Company. As of May 31, drone footage indicated that all 11 dolphins remained on the premises.
Legal Pressure and Public Protest
The decision to begin transfers followed a call from Florida Sen. Jay Trumbull, who described the dolphin deaths as “disturbing and unacceptable.” He urged state wildlife officials to act without delay to ensure the animals were moved to a safer environment. His statement came days before Attorney General James Uthmeier launched a statewide criminal investigation into the park and its owner.
Protests outside Gulf World have also intensified. One organizer, Jamie Marghany, told the News Herald she was trespassed from the park while demonstrating.
Credit: Gulf World Marine Park
In its first detailed public statement since the investigation was announced, Gulf World attributed many of its problems to decisions made before its current leadership took over. “Gulf World experienced years of neglect by the Company’s previous Mexico-based management team,” it said. “The fiduciaries continue to pursue all remedies available in the bankruptcy proceedings to obtain the records and access to information necessary to provide for the health and welfare of all the Company’s animals.”
The Dolphin Company also owns Miami Seaquarium, which has been mired in its own controversies and is currently facing eviction. Advocates worry the problems are not isolated but reflect broader failings in how captive marine mammals are managed at for-profit parks.
For now, Gulf World remains closed. The timeline for reopening—or whether it will reopen at all—remains uncertain. So does the long-term future of the dolphins now preparing to leave it.
What do you think is the best solution for Gulf World Marine Park?
Please do not release and of the 7 bottle nose dolphin if to any facility owned by The Dolphins Company, owner Eduardo Albor. Dig a little deeper into the Seaarium in Miami. The park was condemned and he promised the release of Lolita. An orca that live alone and eventually died while waiting to be rescued. Marine land is no better. I’m disappointed in the NOAA for not siting what’s in plain site. 5 dolphins didn’t have to die at Gulf World. No one in authority would list to us when we started protesting about the water quality in 2024. The owner has cut their food 50%. The dolphins have a better chance at surviving in the Gulf than being moved to Marineland in St Augustine or anywhere owned by “The Dolphins Company” the laws need to change, the bare minimum is all
That’s done for all the animals in his care. A dolphin sanctuary or a pen area in the gulf or another aquarium not owned by TDC. He moved the sea lions and seals sneakily overnight to Seaarium. A few weeks ago. Animals are his assets and he doesn’t care if they are dead or alive. He has them insured.