Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava held a press conference with Miami Seaquarium’s new owners, The Dolphin Company. There they announced The Dolphin Company’s agreement to allow third-party veterinarians onto the premises to conduct an independent exam to assess the health and well being of the orca, Tokitae (aka “Lolita”). The mayor was joined by County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, The Dolphin Company COO Renato Lenzi and Pritam Singh, a conservationist with the group Friends of Lolita.
“With The Dolphin Company now operating the Miami Seaquarium, I am confident that the animals, guests, and our residents will enjoy a renewed facility that treats all with respect,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “My priority has always been to ensure that Lolita, also known as Tokitae, is in good health and that she receives the care she needs. I am proud to announce that, under the guidance of the county, The Dolphin Company has agreed to an independent exam by a third-party veterinarian. We look forward to receiving their results in the near future.”
“The Dolphin Company is honored to now be operating the beloved Miami Seaquarium. As has always been the case with the thirty-three parks and marine mammal habitats we run in the U.S. and around the world, we operate in full transparency, and place the highest value on the health of every single animal in our care. The Dolphin Company has 27 years of experience taking care of more than three hundred marine mammals, including dolphins, sea lions, manatees and others. With the Miami Seaquarium’s most famous resident, Toki, now under our care, we fully support bringing in an independent team of world-class experts to assess Toki’s health. We thank Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, and all others in Miami and around the world who have offered support and share our interest in providing Toki with the best home possible,” said Eduardo Albor, CEO, The Dolphin Company.”
The county will continue to monitor the Seaquarium closely and make unannounced visits to the facility to ensure compliance.
