UPDATE: Gulf World Temporarily Closes After ANOTHER Dolphin Death

Update (June 11, 2025): Another dolphin has died at Gulf World Marine Park. According to the Panama City News Herald, staff found bottlenose dolphin Samira, just 8 years old, dead after showing signs of distress and refusing to eat for weeks. During bankruptcy proceedings, officials from The Dolphin Company reportedly cited concerns about limited access to veterinary resources and medical supplies. Preliminary findings suggest Samira may have ingested foreign material and suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage.

Samira is the fifth bottlenose dolphin to die at the facility since October 2024. Gulf World is now closed until further notice, and four rough-toothed dolphins have been evacuated. The surviving bottlenose dolphins were sent to other facilities owned by The Dolphin Company.

Keep reading to learn more about the dolphins who died at this hellhole, and what YOU can do to help dolphins confined at marine parks.

Originally posted on November 1, 2024:

Three dolphins—Gus, Turk, and Nate—died during October 2024 at Gulf World Marine Park in Florida. Less than six months later, Jett, a 14-year-old bottlenose dolphin, died too. These sensitive, social animals spent their entire lives imprisoned in marine parks and never got to experience a life free from human exploitation.

How Did Four Dolphins Die Within Months of Each Other at Gulf World?

Reports have confirmed that Gus was euthanized due to a “life-threatening condition,” Turk succumbed to a bacterial lung disease, and Nate died from systemic infection. Fungal and bacterial infections are common causes of death for dolphins at marine parks, as the stress of constant confinement and exploitation may compromise their immune systems. Jett’s cause of death is from acute head trauma, which is reportedly the result of him hitting his head in a shallow part of the pool during a show.

New Details Revealed in Dolphin’s Death During Show at Gulf World

Details from a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection report following Jett’s death were just released, and they reveal that the USDA cited Gulf World for excessive algae growth in its dolphin tanks. The inspector noted Gulf World was relying on a chlorine treatment that doesn’t reduce algae blooms, and that there was at least 6 inches of algae along all pool walls and bottoms, as well as floating clumps of algae.

According to the report, all reaction time during Jett’s injury and death was significantly delayed due to the murky water. According to the report, trainers could not see into the tank due to the algae and didn’t realize anything was wrong until Jett didn’t resurface in a timely manner. By then, Jett was found at the bottom of the pool.

Who Were Gus, Turk, Nate, and Jett?

Gus, Turk, and Nate were young bottlenose dolphins captive-bred at United Parks & Resorts’ abusement parks. Gus and Turk were born at SeaWorld Orlando, and Nate was born at Discovery Cove. Jett spent his short, miserable life imprisoned in the tanks at Gulf World, where he was born and died.

Marine parks deprived these dolphins of a natural life, forced them to perform demeaning tricks, and confined them to tiny tanks, where they likely swam in endless circles. In 2014, SeaWorld transferred Nate to Gulf World Marine Park, and the company sent Gus and Turk there in 2015.

In nature, they may have lived for up to 40 years—but none made it past 20 years old. Captive-born bottlenose dolphins die at about twice the rate of those born in their natural habitats.

Did Gulf World’s Failures Cause Dolphins to Sustain Injuries?

Damning U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections over the last year have noted Gulf World’s dilapidated conditions. In addition to the March 4 inspection report, a July 2024 USDA inspection report noted that the park had rust dripping into the main sea lion stadium pool, paint chipping off walls, and cracked concrete on the stage where dolphins slide out during shows. Previously, an October 2023 report by the agency noted that there had been at least one incident in which a piece of concrete was found in a dolphin’s mouth.

Several dolphins held captive at Gulf World, including Gus, Turk, and Nate, were prescribed eye medicine for a condition that could have been caused by direct and harmful exposure to the sun.

Federal authorities cited Gulf World for having its dolphin tanks dangerously unprotected from sunlight in July 2024, so it’s no surprise that dolphins there developed eye conditions—and perhaps other problems—from the park’s dangerous disregard for their care.

They Have No Chance of Escape

Open waters don’t need costly, precise treatments, repairs, and audits to sustain life.

In their natural habitat, dolphins don’t need “enrichment” and drugs to keep them from going insane because of stress and frustration. They flourish, exploring with their families, forming long-lasting friendships, and swimming up to 60 miles daily because it’s their home.

Animals imprisoned in marine parks, on the other hand, frequently develop chronic health issues because of their confinement.

Dolphins’ survival at marine parks hangs on a razor’s edge. Their lives as prisoners depend on human whims. They can’t swim away from tiny enclosures with rusty nails, high chlorine levels, cracked concrete, incompatible tankmates, or other dangers.

The Dolphin Company Cannot Be Trusted

Gulf World is owned by The Dolphin Company, which also runs the failing Miami Seaquarium, where the orca Lolita was confined and died before she had the chance to be released into a seaside sanctuary. On March 31, 2025, The Dolphin Company filed for bankruptcy.

Miami-Dade County is currently evicting Miami Seaquarium after decades of horrific failures to care for the animals it imprisons, including underfeeding them as punishment, allowing facilities to crumble, and ignoring veterinary instructions.

Gulf World is now under investigation by local, state, and federal authorities. On March 27, 2025, officials from the USDA, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Panama City Beach Police Department entered the facility following eyewitness reports and USDA inspection findings exposing neglect and suffering.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Visit Marine Parks

The constant misery at marine parks around the world makes it clear: Dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals belong in natural settings.

There are no “humane” marine parks, because the premise of these facilities fundamentally deprives animals of everything that’s natural and important to them for human entertainment.

The best we can offer the dolphins and whales at marine parks today is transfer to seaside sanctuaries, which would give them a vast natural environment away from tiny concrete tanks, noisy crowds, and the other terrors of marine parks.

You Can Help Dolphins Today

Never go to Gulf World Marine Park or any other venue that exploits dolphins and whales, and explain to your friends and family why they shouldn’t support these businesses, either.

Then, urge SeaWorld to transfer the dolphins and whales it confines to seaside sanctuaries, where they could live in peace: