Miami Seaquarium’s chief veterinarian resigns after critical report about its animal care

Miami Seaquarium’s chief veterinarian has resigned, another sign of a growing crisis at the Virginia Key marine park that has made Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava accelerate her efforts to terminate the county’s lease with Seaquarium operator The Dolphin Company.

“Miami-Dade County is taking all steps necessary to enforce compliance with our current lease agreement as we move closer to termination,” Levine Cava and county commissioner Raquel Regalado said in a joint statement on Wednesday. “Today’s news reaffirms the county’s concerns and the urgency to determine next steps in the best interest of the animals residing at the Seaquarium.”

County officials found out Wednesday that head vet Dr. Jessica Comolli had resigned, a Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department spokesperson said. Comolli’s departure comes in the wake of a succession of critical USDA inspection reports at Seaquarium, underlining inadequate medical staff and equipment, and the recent death of a dolphin and removal of three manatees.

The Dolphin Company took over the Seaquarium lease two years ago with promises to upgrade the aging facilities and care of its animals, including Lolita the killer whale. Levine Cava and Regalado expressed optimism that the Mexico-based company, which runs a dozen marine parks around the world, would emphasize conservation over entertainment and improve Seaquarium’s reputation.

“This news raises even more concerns about the conditions and safety of the animals currently under their care,” Levine Cava and Regalado, whose district includes Seaquarium, stated. The county owns the Seaquarium property. “The Seaquarium must have the appropriate staff with the required expertise and credentials to ensure the health and well-being of the animals.”

READ MORE: Lolita, the Miami Seaquarium orca, died Friday as hopes grew she would leave for the sea

On Thursday, Seaquarium reiterated its previous response, which is that the staff has improved animal care and made corrections in response to the USDA. However, Seaquarium did not address the chief veterinarian’s departure or explain why she left.

The Dolphin Company said it had invited Levine Cava to tour the park last week and see firsthand its care of the animals, but had not received a response from the mayor.

“...Had her interest been genuine, we assumed coming to verify the situation by herself was the expected action, which has not happened, not even with an invitation from the staff,” the statement read. “It is a shame to see that information about the animals at MSQ is used for political purposes, misleading people who truly care.”

PETA, the animal rights advocacy group, again called for the Seaquarium to close, as it has for years.

“Animals were denied routine veterinary care for months because the Miami Seaquarium employed only one veterinarian, and now it seems it won’t even have that — further proof that the Seaquarium needs to be shut down immediately,” said PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said.

Seaquarium in violation of Miami-Dade lease

In February, the USDA released an October inspection report describing problems at Seaquarium, which opened in 1955 and was site of the TV show “Flipper” in the 1960s.

A dolphin swallowing a nail, a sea lion going blind from cataracts, flamingos wading in dirty water, penguins living in a moldy enclosure, birds living in rusty cages and a dolphin misbehaving during an interaction with a guest were some of the problems cited in the report. And In January, the USDA threatened to remove four of the animals.

But Seaquarium made changes to avoid that action and maintains it is in compliance with its lease and intends to stay open.

READ MORE: Seaquarium loses key certification for Miami-Dade County lease, but vows to stay open

In January, Levine Cava announced plans to terminate the Seaquarium’s lease, which requires a minimum of two certifications by .the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA) and by American Humane or a similar third-party accreditation group. Seaquarium lost its accreditation from American Humane’s animal welfare certification program, leaving it in violation of its lease.

READ MORE: County moves to cancel Miami Seaquarium lease after critical federal inspections

In August, Lolita, the orca known as Tokitae, died of kidney failure and old age after spending 53 years in her cramped Whale Bowl tank. Since then, three Pacific white-side dolphins and three manatees were transferred to other facilities and a dolphin named Sundance died after vets noticed he was suffering from stomach pain.

Staff turnover has worsened since 2021, when two veterinarians who cooperated with the USDA as whistleblowers were fired. Longtime trainers have also left for jobs elsewhere.