US law enforcement officers have attacked a marine park in Florida after allegations of “animal abuse” in place.
Four dolphins were killed in the Gulf of the Persian Bay at the beach of Panama City last year, local media say.
Animal rights activists have recently published shots of drones that appear to show dolphins that swim in murky green tanks in the premises.
Florida General James Utmeier said he “would not tolerate animal abuse.” The BBC contacted the owners of The Dolphin Company for comment.
The Florida Ministry of Law enforcement and the Commission for Fish and Wildlife Protection in Florida (FWC) executed a search order at the request of Uthmeier, he said in Social media postS
The order comes after Dolphin Company apparently prevented the FWC Rangers from trying to check the animals, local media reported.
The reports say three dolphins were killed in the park in October.
It is reported that the fourth died earlier this month after hitting his head in the shallow end of the pool while performing tricks for the audience.
According to the Dolphin Company website, the species held in the park include dolphins for bottles, coarse teeth dolphins, sea lions, penguins, port seals, birds and reptiles.
Urgenseas, an animal welfare organization, expressed concerns about the park.
“We have documented and publishing disasters videos in the world of the Gulf world and we will continue as these animals are urgently saved,” Urgenseas Director Phil Demers told the BBC.
“My anxiety is that these animals will be forced to remain in place as the conditions continue to deteriorate,” he said.