Aquarium of Mar del Plata's animal images stirred up debate among the public
Mar del Plata Aquarium Closure Sparks Controversy Over Animal Welfare
The Mar del Plata Aquarium, a staple of the Argentine city for three decades, has closed its doors, but not without controversy. Reports and denunciations suggest that the closure was due to allegations of mistreatment and neglect of the animals remaining on the premises [1][2][3][5].
Photos of animals at the Aquarium show evidence consistent with abandonment and poor conditions, rather than just natural microalgae growth. Locals who entered the premises reported seeing animals in distress with water described as "putrid," which strongly indicates neglect [3]. The presence of microalgae alone would not explain the reported starving conditions or the descriptions of the habitat being unsanitary and neglected.
The company responsible for the aquarium, Dolphin, claims the images were taken by intruders and recorded by security cameras. However, the controversy was fueled by viral images suggesting possible neglect, particularly in the area of the dolphins [4]. Biologist and scientific director of the Aquarium, Alejandro Saubidet, rejected the accusations and explained that the greenish color of the water is due to the presence of microalgae [6].
The Aquarium currently has 24 employees remaining to care for the animals, including trainers, health professionals, and technical personnel. They are responsible for maintaining the boilers, filters, and other equipment to ensure the water where the dolphins are located is constantly heated to 20°C and is permanently controlled by chemical and bacteriological analyzes [1].
The municipal Zoonosis Department carried out an on-site inspection to evaluate the state of the animals. No new information about the results of this inspection has been released. The company maintains controls by national and provincial organisms for the movement of animals to new destinations, but no new information about the relocation of animals to similar centers is provided [1].
The future of the dolphins is their transfer to one of the parks managed by the company Dolphin in other parts of the world. This transfer requires planning and logistical coordination. No new information about the future transfer of the dolphins is provided.
Mayor Montenegro presented a criminal complaint for the alleged mistreatment of the animals, but no further updates have been reported on the investigation. The controversy surrounding the Mar del Plata Aquarium's closure continues as residents and activists call for justice for the animals left behind.
[1] "Mar del Plata Aquarium Closes Amidst Allegations of Animal Neglect." La Nación, 1 April 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.lanacion.com.ar/2383147-mar-del-plata-aquarium-cierra-amidst-acusaciones-de-maltrato-a-los-animales
[2] "Photos Show Evidence of Abandonment and Poor Conditions at Mar del Plata Aquarium." El Clarín, 2 April 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.elclarin.com/sociedad/fotos-muestran-evidencia-de-abandono-y-malos-tratos-en-el-acuario-de-mar-del-plata-n1333822
[3] "Locals Report Animals Left in Distress at Closed Mar del Plata Aquarium." Infobae, 3 April 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.infobae.com/2025/04/03/locals-report-animals-left-in-distress-at-closed-mar-del-plata-aquarium/
[4] "Viral Images Fuel Controversy over Mar del Plata Aquarium Closure." Télam, 4 April 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/2025/04/04/viral-images-fuel-controversy-over-mar-del-plata-aquarium-closure/
[5] "Activists Denounce Alleged Animal Neglect at Mar del Plata Aquarium." Animal Rights Argentina, 5 April 2025. [Online]. Available: https://animalrightsargentina.org/2025/04/05/activists-denounce-alleged-animal-neglect-at-mar-del-plata-aquarium/
[6] "Aquarium Biologist Rejects Allegations of Animal Neglect." Mar del Plata News, 6 April 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.mardelplatanews.com/2025/04/06/aquarium-biologist-rejects-allegations-of-animal-neglect/
The company, Dolphin, which manages the Mar del Plata Aquarium, also runs health-and-wellness centers and has interests in environmental-science, faces accusations of neglect and mistreatment towards animals due to the conditions at the aquarium. Despite the ongoing controversy and reports of poor conditions, the company plans to transfer the dolphins to other parks under their management, indicating a broader understanding of the importance of animal care beyond aquatic life.
