‘Sea Ya, Animal Abusers!’ PETA Hosts Champagne Toast Outside Closing Miami Seaquarium

Surviving Animals Must Be Set Free Where Possible, PETA Says

For Immediate Release:
October 9, 2025

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Miami –

As the bankrupt and beleaguered Miami Seaquarium prepares to shut its doors for the last time on Sunday, PETA supporters and SoFlo Animal Rights allies will be on site, serving champagne to commemorate the closing of the abusement park and calling for other marine abusement parks to see the writing on the tank wall. PETA this morning also sent a letter to Seaquarium owner The Dolphin Company seeking an animal welfare and veterinary assessment of the surviving animals, as some may be ready for release into the ocean, and urging that all others be sent to reputable sanctuaries.

The Seaquarium’s closure, announced on Monday, follows a relentless PETA campaign that included lawsuits, exposing the facility’s egregious record of animal abuse, dramatic protests, support from celebrities from all over North America, and hundreds of thousands of calls and emails from PETA supporters, as well as constant pressure from local animal rights groups.

“After more than 50 years of imprisoning animals in crumbling concrete tanks and failing to meet even their most basic needs, we can now celebrate the Miami Seaquarium’s end,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling for The Dolphin Company to arrange for the ocean or other waterway release of any survivors in good enough condition, and for SeaWorld and other marine abusement parks to know that the Seaquarium won’t be the last company to go under.”

Where: Outside the Miami Seaquarium, 4400 Rickenbacker Cswy, Miami

When: Sunday, October 12, 12 noon

overhead view of Lolita in a tiny tank — *Lolita the orca and Li’i the dolphin trapped in a tiny, crumbling tank at the Miami Seaquarium prior to Lolita’s death in 2023. Photo: PETA*

Why: In nature, orcas and other dolphins live in large, complex social groups and swim vast distances every day in the open ocean. In marine parks, they’re confined to tiny concrete tanks where they have nothing to do but swim in endless circles and fend off attacks from their frustrated tankmates. They’re often torn away from friends and family when they’re shuffled between parks, and many die far short of their natural life expectancies.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.