The Miami Seaquarium will open its doors for the final time on Sunday, marking the end of an era for the decades-old marine park as a Miami developer prepares to transform the Virginia Key property into a new waterfront destination.

Once a premier attraction famous for its trained orca shows, the Seaquarium is now in bankruptcy and plans to sell its lease on the county-owned property for $22.5 million to developer David Martin and a subsidiary of his firm, Terra.

The Dolphin Company, the park’s current operator, has long faced criticism for the condition of the park and the care of its marine life.

“Over 250 marine animals have died since this park opened, so today’s the funeral,” said a protester.

The most well-known animal to die in the care of the Seaquarium was Lolita, the killer w

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