PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – An investigation is being conducted into a Panama City Beach marine park following “concerning reports” about bottlenose dolphins, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In a release on Saturday, the FWC announced that it had received reports related to the health, welfare and enclosure conditions of the dolphins at Gulf World Marine Park.
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“During the inspection, FWC was denied entry by park personnel to conduct a wellness check and to view dolphin enclosures by Gulf World staff as the enclosures are under the jurisdiction of the federal government,” the release reads.
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The FWC explained that the species and enclosures at the park that were under state authority (which excludes the dolphin area) were compliant with the law, though investigators “remain committed to resolving this matter.”
As a result, FWC officials explained that they’re working with federal partners to continue the investigation.
“Further, FWC is referring the facility to all state-level licensing agencies that may license other components of the facility,” the release continues. “The health and welfare of Florida’s wildlife is our mission — and that includes our state’s saltwater marine mammal.”
