The iconic and controversial Miami Seaquarium has closed its doors

miami Seaquarium, an old-Florida The stylized tourist attraction that gained international attention as the filming location of the 1960s television series “Flipper” and thrilled generations of tourists with trained dolphin and orca shows has closed its doors.

Sunday’s closing of the park, which opened in 1955, was celebrated by animal rights activists who have lobbied for decades to free the marine mammals. Located on downtown Miami and overlooking Biscayne Bay, the park was beloved by those who grew up visiting the historic site, but was plagued by frequent animal welfare complaints.

Last year, the aquarium’s parent company received a notice to vacate the waterfront property it leases from Miami-Dade CountyThe local cited a “long and troubling history of violations.” The action was taken after a series of federal inspections that found numerous problems, including unsafe and structurally deficient buildings.

For years, families hoping to make memorable memories at the attraction have had to navigate around animal rights protesters stationed on the sidewalk outside, equipped with signs, bullhorns, rosary beads and incense.

In recent years, activists focused on the fate LolitaAn orca whale held captive in a shallow pool for more than half a century. He died as caretakers were preparing to move him to a natural marine enclosure Pacific Northwest,

Efforts to redevelop the Seaquarium site are already in the works, with plans for a new “accredited aquarium” without marine mammals, as well as a research centre, shops, restaurants and a publicly accessible baywalk.