Heartbreaking footage of aquatic animals at Miami Seaquarium in tiny pool

By Jessica Hehir-Smith via SWNS

Heart-breaking footage has emerged of aquatic animals at Miami Seaquarium living in tiny pools - just a few feet away from their ocean home.

The videos expose the poor living conditions of several manatees, two Pacific white-sided dolphins - and one lone orca - at the 38-acre oceanarium in Key Biscayne, Florida.

Orca Lolita, formerly known as Tokitae, was captured in August 1970 and has been in captivity at Miami Seaquarium since September 1970.

The videos show her floating aimlessly alone in her small tank, where the water is green and exposed to the sun all day.

She can be seen locked into the shallow part of her tank, seeking shade from the scorching sun with just a hose for enrichment.

The manatees can be seen in one tiny pool alongside the dolphins, who are a mother and son pair deemed ‘unreleasable.'

Activist Phil Demers, 44, from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, has made it his mission to share the harrowing footage and reveal the true conditions of animals at Miami Seaquarium.

The circular tanks are dirty and falling apart and Lolita’s tank is far too small and "unsustainable for life," according to Phil.

He said that despite multiple requests, Miami Seaquarium has not provided a water sample for analysis which would prove they are taking steps to improve her tank.

Phil said: “Lolita’s facility is far too small and has never actually met guidelines.

“I took a helicopter flight over and saw myself how bad the conditions were. I have done water analysis myself and I just knew that her water was grossly compromised.

“Providing me with evidence would improve their credibility so I don’t know why they won’t. It makes me not trust or believe them."

All the animals in these clips are hidden from public view, which is why Phil is choosing to share the footage.

He believes that these animals have been forgotten about but they need addressing, as no creature deserves the treatment they are experiencing.

Phil used to work at the MarineLand site in Niagara Falls, but quit in 2012 due to ongoing issues regarding the animals’ well-being.

He has since become a whistleblower, exposing the ‘atrocious’ conditions captive marine animals live in and campaigning for an improvement.

By visiting sites around North America and sharing videos on social media, Phil hopes that people will join him in fighting for the rights of all animals in captivity around the globe.

He said: “The truth about these places is out there, you just need to be able to find it.

“People pay the admission fees and want to see these animals, so their conditions are normalized.

“Social media gives me a platform to use my own, unfiltered voice to share the truth - it is an incredibly powerful resource.

“I have had millions of views and lots of media attention which is great. I want to share what is happening and get people on board.

“It is a war. I am at battle with Miami Seaquarium, MarineLand, all of them.”

MFL - Miami Seaquarium was contacted for comments.