GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) said it paid a $3,000 fine to settle a federal complaint filed by animal rights advocates.
The national research watchdog group known as Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN) said water quality, enclosure conditions, and animal-handling issues are linked to the deaths of a bottlenose dolphin and a California sea lion.
SAEN said the sea lion, named Jester, died while under anesthesia at IMMS. The advocacy group said high chlorine levels caused eye issues and the sea lion required treatment.
Director of IMMS Moby Solangi said one of the most common issues with sea lions, even in nature, is eye issues.
The dolphin, named Jag, also died during a medical procedure. The dolphin reportedly was caught under the false bottom of a medical pool enclosure and drowned, according to SAEN.
Director of IMMS Moby Solangi said the animals came to the institute already with serious medical problems and disagreed with the issues listed in the complaint.
“It’s unfortunate that some folks have a different idea of animals under human care. Whatever recommendations were made we took care of it. We took care of the issues and that’s how we settled,” Solangi said.
The complaint was filed with the United States Department of Agriculture. Part of the settlement stipulates that neither party admits or denies the allegations, according to Solangi.
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