Panama City Beach, Fla. (WDNews) – Seven bottlenose dolphins are being transferred from Gulf World Marine Park to Marineland Dolphin Adventure following an emergency waiver issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on May 30.
The receiving facility, Marineland, is located in St. Augustine and is owned by The Dolphin Company—the same Mexico-based parent company of Gulf World. The Dolphin Company, which operates 21 parks worldwide, is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier also announced the launch of a statewide criminal investigation into both Gulf World and its parent company.
“Today, my office opened a statewide criminal investigation into Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach and its Mexico-based parent company, The Dolphin Company,” Uthmeier posted on X.
This is an evolving story. More updates will be provided as information becomes available.
