My name is Valerie, and for 10 years I worked as an animal trainer and Assistant Supervisor of Animal Training at Miami Seaquarium.

From 2009 to 2019, I helped care for dolphins, sea lions, and seals — animals who have lived at the park for decades and know it as their only home.

Now, many of those same animals face being forcibly relocated as part of redevelopment plans to turn the property into a commercial waterfront project.

And for many of them — especially the older animals — relocation could mean death.

Roughly half of the animals at Miami Seaquarium are geriatric, and relocation at their age and condition is extremely dangerous.

There have already been examples of this: after dolphins Loke and Elelo were moved to another facility, both died just over a year later. Juliet, a manatee estimated to be 65 years old, also died within months of being transferred.

These aren’t isolated incidents. Moving older marine mammals often results in extreme stress, refusal to eat, or death shortly after transfer.

This isn’t about whether you support or oppose animals in captivity — this is about protecting the individual lives that already exist and depend on our care . 

Miami Seaquarium has had its share of controversy, but since January 2025, it has passed every USDA inspection without a single citation.

The trainers and caretakers who remain continue to provide consistent, professional care every single day — and the animals are thriving under their routines.

Yet, despite repeated invitations to visit and see the improvements firsthand, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has not come back to visit the park.

Instead, plans are moving forward to remove all animals and redevelop the land — without a clear or humane transition plan in place.

If redevelopment proceeds as planned, dozens of elderly animals may not survive the move.

And this isn’t only about dolphins and sea lions.

The park is also home to seals, flamingos, birds, sharks, fish, turtles, and other marine life — all of whom would face stress and potential harm if abruptly relocated. Every one of these animals deserves a safe and humane long-term plan.

What We’re Asking For

We urge Miami-Dade County and Mayor Daniella Levine Cava to:

Pause the redevelopment and lease transfer process until a transparent, humane animal welfare plan is publicly released.
Evaluate a nonprofit sanctuary model for the property — allowing the existing animals to remain under professional care, while ending commercial shows and focusing on rescue, rehab, and education.
Work with federal and state animal welfare agencies to ensure that any decisions about the animals’ future — including relocation — prioritize their long-term health, safety, and stability in familiar environments whenever possible.

Why It Matters

This isn’t about defending a company.

This is about defending the lives of the animals who have spent decades in our care — animals who have educated generations of families and helped build Miami’s legacy of marine conservation.

These dolphins, sea lions, seals, and other animals are our responsibility, and their lives shouldn’t be sacrificed for real estate.

Even if you don’t live in Miami, your voice matters. Public attention and national support can help ensure these animals are protected and given the safe future they deserve.

Please sign and share before November 4, 2025, where the Miami-Dade county commissioners will speak on this topic and the public is allowed to come speak and voice their concerns.

Once these animals are moved, we can’t undo it.

Valerie 

Former Assistant Supervisor of Animal Training, Miami Seaquarium (2009–2019)