PHOENIX (AP) — Dolphinaris Arizona opened in the metro Phoenix desert two years ago as marine parks elsewhere were scaling back exhibits amid criticism of the treatment of animals. Dolphinaris Arizona said it will close temporarily beginning Friday as a panel of experts investigates potential factors in the dolphin deaths. The facility near Phoenix is believed to be the first newly constructed dolphin facility in the United States in a decade. Naomi Rose, a marine mammal scientist with the Animal Welfare Institute, said she doesn’t expect federal regulators to investigate Dolphinaris Arizona. Since the fourth dolphin death at Dolphinaris Arizona, Dolphin Quest has terminated its contract to loan animals to the facility, citing unresolved animal health concerns at Dolphinaris.

Source: Huffington Post February 09, 2019 17:37 UTC