What's Going On with Miami Seaquarium? | Edwin Gonzalez

In this episode, we sit down with Edwin Gonzalez, the executive director of the Dolphin Company, which operates the Miami Seaquarium. With his extensive background in marine park management, Edwin provides an insider's perspective on the challenges and controversies surrounding the Seaquarium, including addressing rumors about eviction and profitability. The conversation delves into several crucial topics, including the controversial history of the Seaquarium, the sad passing of Lolita the orca, and their efforts to rehabilitate injured animals. Edwin discusses the park's recent perfect score from the USDA, plans for future improvements, and their approach to animal care. He also addresses criticisms from activists, shares insights on celebrity visits, and reveals fascinating details about the daily operations of the park, including animal diets and visitor experiences. This episode offers a balanced and informative look at the complex world of marine animal parks and conservation efforts. Enjoy! Miami Seaquarium: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miamiseaquarium_/ Eduardo Moya: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_moya/ Manny Alfonso: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mannyalfonso8/ Follow Us! - A Day in Miami: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adayinmiami/ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/20WEys6jxiliBCLoo9iSID ________________________ Produced by: Ben Schwede Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benthecreatorrr/ 0:00 Intro 0:49 Edwin’s Background 1:31 Are They Evicted? 3:30 Is It a Profitable Business? 4:58 Why Seaquarium Became Controversial? 7:58 Lolita Situation 11:38 The Day of Lolita’s Passing 12:45 Comparison of Seaquarium vs Seaworld 14:38 Taking In Hurt Animals 15:33 What Went Wrong with Seaquarium? 18:31 Celebrities Visiting Seaquarium 21:46 Perfect Score from USDA 23:42 2-inch Nail in Dolphin’s Mouth 25:38 How Many Animals Are In Seaquarium? 25:55 Future of Miami Seaquarium 27:13 Message to Activists 29:51 How Much Food They Use Daily? 30:10 Special Diets for Animals 33:09 Waterpark Next to Zoo Miami 34:30 Manny Will Swim with the Dolphins 36:19 Process of Swimming with Dolphins 37:38 Improving the Buildings 39:27 How Many People Visit Seaquarium Monthly? 39:58 Problem with Activists 43:48 Are Activists Paid by Special Interest Groups? 44:53 Netflix Series? 46:40 Outro