We recently reported on the death of the bottlenose dolphin Apollo at Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA). He was approximately four years old and the fifth dolphin to die at the facility in 19 months. In light of the deaths, in March of this year, an outside panel began reviewing the dolphins’ habitats, water quality, veterinary care, animal welfare and environmental impact at CMA. The report just released, does not mention Apollo because it was completed prior to his death.
The report has made several recommendations, including looking at air quality in the aquarium, testing noise levels and more. The panel have also said they would like to assess the survival rates of stranded animals in managed care based on categories such as species as well as age and condition at the time of stranding. Many of the dolphins at CMA are rescues who have been deemed non-releasable.
