On Christmas Day, the Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park said it had taken in hundreds of sea animals evacuated from the now-shuttered Miami Seaquarium, including nurse sharks and a giant moray eel. Staff members moved quickly to prepare stable habitats and upgrade life-support systems so the newcomers could settle in and receive care. The arrivals make up one of the largest transfers of marine animals to a Texas aquarium in recent memory.
As reported by The Dallas Morning News, the aquarium shared on Instagram that it was “grateful for new beginnings” after welcoming nurse sharks, a giant moray eel, and many lesser-known but equally important species. The Dallas Morning News also noted it was not clear where all of the Seaquarium’s other animals were sent.
Seaquarium Shutdown And History
The Miami Seaquarium, a fixture on Virginia Key for about 70 years, closed in October after mounting criticism over animal care and the park operator’s financial troubles. The Associated Press reports that Miami-Dade County moved to terminate the Seaquarium’s lease and that the operator has pursued bankruptcy and a sale of the property.
USDA Inspection Raised Welfare Red Flags
A 2022 inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that daily feedings for nine dolphins were sharply reduced, producing “very thin animals” and “abnormal behaviors,” according to inspection documents. The USDA report cites weight loss, increased regurgitation, and episodes of aggression during guest interactions, and it requested corrective actions from the facility. Scribd details the agency’s findings.
Who Is Coordinating The Moves
The Seaquarium’s operator has worked with an international animal-transfer consultant to find new homes for animals and said it will “prioritize the health, wellness and safety of the animals,” according to company materials and reporting. Axios noted that the relocations are being coordinated as part of the bankruptcy process and that placements depend on veterinary assessments and accreditation.
Animal-Welfare Groups Push For Releases Or Sanctuaries
Advocates have urged rigorous evaluations to determine whether animals could be returned to the wild or placed in accredited sanctuaries. PETA sent a letter asking the operator to evaluate all remaining animals for potential release, and to transfer those that cannot be released to reputable sanctuaries.
What This Means For The Dallas Aquarium
The Children’s Aquarium at Fair Park, Texas’s first aquarium, originally opened in 1936 and revived under new management in 2021, said staff upgraded pumps, filters, and holding systems to make room for the new arrivals. The Dallas Morning News reports the aquarium thanked behind-the-scenes teams who prepared stable habitats for the transfers.
Oversight And What To Watch
Regulators, including the USDA, NOAA, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, are expected to play roles in evaluating and approving moves, and veterinary teams will screen animals before permanent placements are finalized. Reporting shows the Seaquarium hired International Animal Exchange to help identify and transport new homes for its animals. Local10 outlined the consultant role and the multi-agency oversight described in company materials…