Dolphins abandoned to their fate in a marine park were rescued after public outcry
The operation exposed five previous deaths and the deplorable conditions in which the dolphins lived before their rescue.
After months of neglect and suffering, four rough-toothed dolphins—Doris, Kitana, Dagny, and Wren—were rescued from Gulf World Marine Park, a marine park located in Panama City Beach, Florida, which had been closed and left in deplorable conditions. The rescue took place on June 4, 2025, thanks to public pressure, social media mobilization, and the work of animal rights organizations.
The activist group TideBreakers released a video showing the dolphins trapped in deteriorating tanks, lacking the necessary maintenance to ensure their well-being.
The images revealed the critical condition of the facility, which even showed water with sudden color changes, possibly caused by excessive chlorine use, according to activist Marketa Schusterova.
During the eight months prior to the rescue, five dolphins died in tragic circumstances at the same park. Gus, Turk, and Nate died in October 2024, allegedly due to side effects from the construction of a nearby entertainment venue.
In November, the enclosure's filtration system failed completely. In March 2025, another dolphin, Jett, died after breaking his neck after falling into a shallow area of the tank during a show. Shortly after, a fifth nine-year-old dolphin also died.
During a visit to the park in March, TideBreakers members were dismayed to find that the conditions were even worse than the images showed. They gathered evidence that fueled a media and social pressure campaign, which was key to mobilizing local, state, and federal authorities.
On March 31, the park's owners, The Dolphin Company, filed for bankruptcy, complicating the rescue process. However, after weeks of negotiations and legal proceedings, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) intervened and relocated the four surviving dolphins to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) determined that the dolphins were unfit to return to their natural habitat, and they will now receive permanent care at the CMA. "We are proud to share this important step forward," said the FWC, emphasizing that it is a key action in an ongoing investigation into the park.
The rescue was widely celebrated on social media. Comments like “Thanks for saving them,” “Bravo,” and “Finally” flooded posts related to the operation, reflecting the relief and gratitude of many people who had been following the case with concern.