In a significant development, the Miami Seaquarium, a popular old-Florida style tourist attraction that housed the beloved Orca, Lolita, is facing eviction from its waterfront property leased from Miami-Dade County. The decision comes as a result of a lease termination notice sent by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, citing a "long and troubling history of violations" by The Dolphin Company, the Seaquarium's owner. According to the letter, the company has been instructed to vacate the property by April 21.

Mayor Levine Cava expressed deep concerns during a news conference on Thursday, highlighting continuous violations including decaying animal habitats, a lack of veterinary staff, and a shortage of experienced employees at the Seaquarium. Emphasizing that the safety and well-being of the animals are the county's top priority, she reiterated the need for immediate action.

In an attempt to showcase the park's animal welfare, Seaquarium officials had extended an invitation to Mayor Levine Cava to visit the facility herself. However, the mayor had not yet responded to this invitation. The county had previously informed the park in January that they were considering terminating the lease, following a scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regulates the care and treatment of captive animals.

During the news conference, Eduardo Albor, CEO of The Dolphin Company, expressed his perplexity about the mayor's refusal to visit the Seaquarium, questioning her concern for the animals when she had not visited for two years. Mayor Levine Cava clarified that representatives from the county's parks department had routinely visited the park over the past 18 months, stressing that the current state of the Seaquarium is both unsafe and unsustainable.

While the Seaquarium has the option to challenge the eviction, a court ruling in favor of the park would require demonstrating compliance with their lease. Albor stated that his legal team would respond to the eviction notice, aiming to defend their rights. This recent development follows a series of federal inspections that unveiled various issues at the Seaquarium, including unsafe buildings and structural deficiencies.

The Dolphin Company, headquartered in Mexico, had previously agreed to assist in relocating Lolita to a natural sea pen in the Pacific Northwest when it acquired ownership of the Seaquarium in 2022. Tragically, Lolita, also known as Tokitae or Toki, passed away on August 18 at the age of 57. Animal rights activists had campaigned for Lolita's release for years, as she had spent most of her life in a confined tank, which measured 80 feet by 35 feet and was 20 feet deep. She ceased performing in shows at the Seaquarium in 2022.

Reacting to the eviction notice, Dr. Naomi Rose, senior scientist in marine mammal biology for the Animal Welfare Institute's Marine Life Program, expressed her satisfaction, stating, "At long last, authorities are taking action against the persistent animal welfare violations at Miami Seaquarium." Dr. Rose hoped that the broader zoo and aquarium community would step forward to ensure a suitable home for all the animals, including mammals, birds, and fish, in reputable U.S. facilities.

The future of the Miami Seaquarium remains uncertain as the legal battle looms, with both animal rights activists and authorities seeking to address the ongoing issues that have plagued this iconic tourist attraction for far too long.