PANA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — The death of a dolphin during a public show has prompted an investigation by the US Department of Agriculture, according to a report by WMBB, Nexstar affiliate.
In a recent testing report, USDA officials conducted intensive testing at Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach after one of the dolphins died at the show on March 1.
Deputies say that man was determined to be dead following a “bear encounter” in South Florida
According to the report, Jett, a 14-year-old dolphin, was performing at the show when he went down into the pool and did not reappear.
WMBB said the vet ruled his death as trauma to a blunt head instrument after hitting the shallow edge of the pool.
USDA inspectors said the facility’s response times for the accident were “significantly delayed” because the pool was not clear.
Over the past few months, the Gulf World Marine Park has been attacked due to poor animal conditions and care, the news outlet reported. As of March 4th, the facility has 12 dolphins.
WFLA.com contacted Gulf World Marine Park for a statement but was not immediately available.
