The Dolphin Company: Armed Standoffs, $10K Daily Sanctions, and Miami Seaquarium's End

The Dolphin Company's chapter 11 bankruptcy followed years of animal welfare violations, a lease dispute at Miami Seaquarium, and a confrontation with former management that included armed standoffs at Mexican headquarters and $10,000-per-day sanctions for automatic stay violations. The Cancún-based marine entertainment company operates 30 parks and dolphin habitats across eight countries with approximately 2,400 animals from more than 80 species.

When Leisure Investments Holdings LLC filed for chapter 11 protection in the District of Delaware on March 31, 2025, the company disclosed estimated assets and liabilities both in the range of $100 million to $500 million. The Miami Seaquarium had lost its accreditation from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums just weeks earlier, following a unanimous board vote citing material violations of standards. USDA inspectors had documented dangerously low water levels that injured four dolphins. Former CEO Eduardo Albor had allegedly seized the company's Mexican headquarters with armed associates, later returning with 20 individuals purporting to be state police officers to forcibly retake possession.

The restructuring that followed included several sale and transition steps: Terra Group agreed to assume the Miami Seaquarium lease for $22.5 million, with plans to invest up to $100 million to redevelop the 38-acre site into an accredited aquarium without marine mammals. Gulf World Marine Park sold for $4.5 million. Marineland—the world's first oceanarium, operating since 1938—was acquired by a group that planned to continue marine operations. Seventy-three animals are being transferred to nine facilities across the United States. The 70-year-old Miami Seaquarium closed in October 2025 after 70 years of operation, including housing Lolita until her death in August 2023.

Debtor(s)	The Dolphin Company (Leisure Investments Holdings LLC)
Headquarters	Cancún, Mexico
Industry	Marine Life Entertainment / Theme Parks
Founded	1994
Petition Date	March 31, 2025
Court	U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware
Case Number	25-10606 (Lead)
Total Debtors	10+ entities (U.S., Mexico, Cayman Islands)
Assets at Filing	$100 million–$500 million
Liabilities at Filing	$100 million–$500 million
Employees	2,500+ globally
Animals Under Care	~2,400 animals (80+ species)
DIP Facility	$24 million ($8M new money, $16M roll-up)
Key U.S. Properties	Miami Seaquarium, Gulf World Marine Park, Marineland
Independent Director	Steven Strom (Odinbrook Global Advisors)

The Dolphin Company: A Global Marine Entertainment Company

Company history and global footprint. The Dolphin Company was founded in 1994 in Cancún, Mexico, growing over three decades into what the company describes as the largest dolphin family in the world and the largest park operator in Latin America. At its peak, the company operated 21 dolphin habitats, eight parks, and two marinas across eight countries on two continents. Operations spanned Mexico, the United States, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, Italy, and Argentina.

The scope of the company's animal care operations included approximately 2,400 animals from more than 80 species, including hundreds of marine mammals—dolphins, sea lions, manatees, and seals—along with birds and reptiles. The company's "Miracle Program" breeding initiative claimed more than 150 marine mammals born under its care. Over 300 specialists and veterinarians were employed in animal care operations, part of a global workforce exceeding 2,500 employees across Latin America, the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Key U.S. properties. The Dolphin Company's American portfolio included four marine attractions:

Miami Seaquarium history. The Miami Seaquarium was founded in 1955 by Fred D. Coppock and Captain W.B. Gray. When it opened, it was the largest marine-life attraction in the world and only the second marine-life attraction in Florida. The Flipper television series was filmed on-site during the 1960s.

One resident was Lolita, a female orca captured on August 8, 1970, from Penn Cove, Washington, who arrived at Miami Seaquarium on September 24, 1970. Lolita's companion Hugo died in 1980, leaving her as the sole orca at the facility for over four decades. Advocacy efforts sought her release to a sea pen, but Lolita died in August 2023 after more than 50 years in captivity. Her tank measured only 80 feet across despite her 20-foot body length.

The Dolphin Company assumed management of Miami Seaquarium in August 2021, taking over from Palace Entertainment approximately three and a half years before the bankruptcy filing.

Path to Bankruptcy: Animal Welfare Issues and Management Dispute

The path to bankruptcy included animal welfare violations, regulatory enforcement actions, and lease disputes that affected the company's U.S. properties.

USDA violations and animal welfare failures. The Miami Seaquarium accumulated a record of USDA violations over years of operation, with citations for inadequate handling of animals, inadequate veterinary care, water quality issues, insufficient staffing, and inadequate maintenance of facilities. A USDA report filed in January 2025 documented dangerously low water levels in dolphins' tanks that caused four dolphins to sustain injuries. The report also found the Seaquarium lacked proper documentation of employee training in animal care and handling.

The problems extended beyond Miami. At Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach, four dolphins died in the year preceding the bankruptcy, and the facility was raided by U.S. law enforcement and wildlife officials due to animal welfare concerns. Company communications after the bankruptcy filing acknowledged that Gulf World had experienced "years of neglect" by the prior Mexico-based management team.

Lease termination proceedings. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava cited the Seaquarium's "long and troubling history of violations" in issuing a lease termination notice, ordering the facility to vacate the property by April 21, 2024. The county pursued eviction proceedings, but a judge denied the county's motion for immediate eviction in November 2024. The dispute remained unresolved when the chapter 11 filing intervened.

Following the bankruptcy filing, Miami-Dade County told the bankruptcy court that the lease needed to be canceled so new homes could be found for the dolphins, sea lions, seals, and other animals.

Loss of AMMPA accreditation. On February 12, 2025—just weeks before the bankruptcy filing—the Miami Seaquarium lost its accreditation from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). The AMMPA Board voted unanimously to terminate the Seaquarium's membership based on "material violations of standards and guidelines."

Mexican media outlet El Heraldo de Mexico first reported in February 2025 that the company had declared bankruptcy, though Dolphin Company executives initially denied the reports while acknowledging they were beginning a process to restructure their financial liabilities. The formal chapter 11 filing followed weeks later.

Eduardo Albor: Armed Standoffs and Automatic Stay Sanctions

The bankruptcy included a confrontation between the debtors' restructuring management and former CEO Eduardo Albor, including allegations of armed confrontations at the company's Mexican headquarters and daily sanctions for automatic stay violations.

Armed standoff in Cancún. Court filings include allegations regarding Albor's conduct following the bankruptcy filing. According to the debtors, Albor denied restructuring officials access to the company's Mexican headquarters in Cancún. The allegations state that Albor seized the headquarters with an armed party. After the restructuring team briefly gained access, Albor allegedly returned with "20 armed individuals purporting to be state police officers" who "forcibly entered and retook possession" of the headquarters.

The confrontation unfolded alongside disputes between former management and secured lenders. The Prudential Insurance Company of America and other prepetition lenders were represented by Baker & McKenzie LLP and Foley & Lardner LLP.

Automatic stay violations and $10,000-per-day sanctions. Beyond the physical confrontation in Mexico, Albor was accused of violating the automatic stay that protects debtors in bankruptcy. According to court filings, Albor allegedly used credit card readers purchased at Costco to divert ticket revenue from the company's Mexican locations, circumventing the bankruptcy estate's control over company assets.

On June 26, 2025, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Silverstein imposed sanctions of $10,000 per day on Albor for his violations of the automatic stay. The daily fines would continue until Albor filed certification that a Mexican legal challenge—known as an "amparo"—was dismissed.

Judge Silverstein stated from the bench: "I have grave concerns about Mr. Albor's behaviour." The judge also expressed concern about animal welfare at the company's facilities.

Court orders enforcing the automatic stay. Key orders included:

Chief Restructuring Officer Robert Wagstaff was designated as Foreign Representative for the Mexican debtor entities.

DIP Financing: Four Interim Orders Before Final Approval

The Dolphin Company secured debtor-in-possession financing to fund operations during the bankruptcy, and the path to final approval required four interim orders.

DIP facility structure. The DIP financing totaled $24 million, including a $16 million roll-up of prepetition first lien debt:

The 2:1 roll-up ratio meant that for every $1 of new money provided, $2 of prepetition first lien debt would be rolled up into the DIP facility with superpriority status.

DIP milestones. The DIP agreement included typical performance milestones:

Approval process. The path from interim to final DIP approval included multiple interim orders:

Objections came from multiple parties, including Tradewinds Ltd and Keys Hotel Operator Inc., who filed limited objections to entry of the final DIP order.

The Multi-Track Sale Process

The Dolphin Company adopted a multi-track approach to monetizing its asset portfolio. Different assets—going-concern businesses, real estate, animal populations, and the Miami Seaquarium lease—used separate marketing strategies and sale processes.

Four-track sale approach. The bidding procedures approved by the court on July 29, 2025, established four tracks:

1. Direct Asset Sales: Marketing and selling assets directly owned or leased by the debtors pursuant to standard bidding procedures, with Greenhill & Co., LLC serving as investment banker for going-concern sales.

2. Non-Debtor Assets: Separate procedures for assets requiring debtor consent or approval but not directly owned by the debtors.

3. De Minimis Asset Sales: Expedited procedures for low-value assets, allowing efficient disposition without the full auction process.

4. Miami Seaquarium: A separate motion track for the sale, assumption, assignment, or other monetization of the Miami Seaquarium lease.

Marketing strategy. Two advisory firms led the marketing efforts, with responsibilities divided by asset type:

Flexible bidding timeline. The bidding procedures provided flexibility in timing for each asset sale:

This approach allowed the debtors to sequence asset sales based on timing considerations.

Sale Outcomes: Three Properties

The multi-track sale process produced distinct outcomes for each of The Dolphin Company's major U.S. properties, reflecting the varying circumstances and buyer interest for each asset.

Miami Seaquarium: Terra Group Redevelopment Plan

The Miami Seaquarium lease was acquired by Terra Group, a Miami-based real estate developer. The 38-acre waterfront property had operated as a marine attraction since 1955.

Transaction terms:

Redevelopment plans. Terra's plans call for a redevelopment of the property:

• A new accredited aquarium without marine mammals
• Marina facilities with wet and dry boat storage for up to 350 vessels
• Preservation of the Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome structure
• Retail and entertainment spaces

The plans exclude marine mammals from the redeveloped facility.

Closure and transition. The Miami Seaquarium closed its doors over the weekend of October 11, 2025, ending 70 years of continuous operation at the Key Biscayne site. The closure led to the transition of animals to new facilities and the elimination of more than 120 jobs.

The sale still requires Miami-Dade County Commission approval, with the actual transfer of the lease to occur no later than May 15, 2026.

Gulf World Marine Park: Real Estate Transition

Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach—one of the properties cited for animal welfare failures—was sold at auction for real estate redevelopment purposes.

Transaction terms:

The final price exceeded both the initial stalking horse bid and the property's assessed value. The property is expected to be redeveloped into a different business, ending Gulf World's marine park operations.

Marineland: Preservation as a Marine Attraction

Marineland Dolphin Adventure—the world's first oceanarium, operating since 1938—was acquired by #1 Apex Association LLC, a group that said it planned to continue marine operations.

Transaction terms:

Buyer details. The #1 Apex Association was led by Barbara and Jon Rubel of Clay County, Florida, and includes dolphin expert Jack Kassewitz and former Marineland manager Felicia Cook. The acquisition kept Marineland's marine mammal operations in place.

Most animals at Marineland will remain at the facility under new ownership, with only three dolphins scheduled for transfer to Theater of the Sea in the Florida Keys.

Animal Transfers

The disposition of animals across The Dolphin Company's portfolio included transfers to multiple facilities. Court filings indicate that 73 animals—including dolphins, penguins, seals, sea lions, birds, and reptiles—are planned for transfer to nine facilities across the United States.

The bankruptcy court entered multiple orders approving animal transfers:

The transfers required multiple court orders.

Professional Retentions and Committee Activity

The restructuring involved the following professionals.

Debtors' professionals:

Robert Wagstaff served as Chief Restructuring Officer and Foreign Representative for the Mexican debtor entities. Steven Strom of Odinbrook Global Advisors served as Independent Director.

Unsecured Creditors' Committee. An Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors was appointed and actively participated in the case. The UCC retained:

Professional fee applications were filed monthly through December 2025, with the first interim fee applications approved by the court on December 2, 2025.

Key Timeline

Key milestones in the case include:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did The Dolphin Company file for bankruptcy?

The filing followed years of USDA violations at its U.S. facilities, loss of AMMPA accreditation at Miami Seaquarium, eviction proceedings initiated by Miami-Dade County, and reports of over $200 million in financial liabilities according to Mexican media.

Is Miami Seaquarium closing permanently?

The Miami Seaquarium closed in October 2025 after 70 years of operation, but the facility will be redeveloped. Terra Group is investing up to $100 million to transform the 38-acre site into a new accredited aquarium without marine mammals, along with marina facilities and retail spaces. The Buckminster Fuller dome will be preserved.

What is happening to the dolphins and other animals?

Seventy-three animals—including dolphins, penguins, seals, sea lions, birds, and reptiles—are being transferred to nine facilities across the United States. At Marineland, most animals will remain under new ownership, with only three dolphins transferring to Theater of the Sea in the Florida Keys.

Who acquired the Miami Seaquarium lease?

Terra Group (through Resilient Aquarium LLC) acquired the lease for $22.5 million. The deal was approved by the bankruptcy court on October 17, 2025, but still requires Miami-Dade County Commission approval, with the transfer to occur no later than May 15, 2026.

What happened to Gulf World Marine Park?

Gulf World was sold to By The Sea Resorts for $4.5 million at auction on October 13, 2025. The property, which had been cited for animal welfare violations including four dolphin deaths, will be redeveloped into a different business.

Is Marineland being preserved?

Yes. #1 Apex Association LLC—led by local residents Barbara and Jon Rubel and including dolphin expert Jack Kassewitz—acquired Marineland for $6.5 million with plans to continue operating it as a marine attraction. The facility, which is the world's first oceanarium (opened 1938), will retain most of its animals.

Why was the former CEO sanctioned $10,000 per day?

Former CEO Eduardo Albor was sanctioned for violating the automatic stay by allegedly diverting ticket revenue from the company's Mexican parks using credit card readers purchased at Costco. The daily sanctions continue until Albor dismisses a Mexican legal challenge (amparo) that he filed to contest the U.S. bankruptcy court's authority.

What was the armed standoff at Mexican headquarters?

According to court filings, Albor allegedly seized the company's Mexican headquarters in Cancún with an armed party. After restructuring officials briefly gained access, Albor allegedly returned with 20 individuals purporting to be state police officers who forcibly retook possession of the headquarters.

How much DIP financing did the company receive?

The company obtained $24 million in DIP financing: $8 million in new money and $16 million in roll-up of prepetition debt. The DIP required four interim orders before final approval was entered on September 5, 2025.

Who was Lolita?

Lolita was a female orca captured in 1970 from Penn Cove, Washington, who lived at Miami Seaquarium for more than 50 years until her death in August 2023. Her 80-foot tank and solitary existence (her companion Hugo died in 1980) were cited by marine mammal advocacy groups. Lolita's death preceded the bankruptcy by approximately 18 months.

Who is the claims agent for The Dolphin Company?

Kurtzman Carson Consultants (now Verita Global) serves as the claims and noticing agent. The firm maintains the official claims register and distributes case notifications to creditors and parties in interest.

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