Controversial captive dolphin facility to close following another dolphin death

A dolphinaria in Arizona, US has announced that it will close for the immediate future following the death of a fourth dolphin that it held captive.

The latest bottlenose dolphin to die was 22 year old Kai, who had not been eating, swimming or breathing normally in recent days according to an official statement.

The facility has faced strong criticism since it opened in 2016, including from WDC, not least because of the welfare concerns over the opening of a dolphin interaction park in the heart of Arizona’s desert. Sadly it seems that the concerns raised are now materialising following this latest death.

The Scottsdale facility will now temporarily close to bring in experts and behaviour specialists to make an assessment of the facility.