Dolphinaris Arizona Won't Return To OdySea In The Desert

By Matt Kling
Published: Monday, March 11, 2019 - 11:53am
Updated: Monday, March 11, 2019 - 12:11pm

Exterior to Dolphinaris attraction
Matt Kling/KJZZ
Exterior to Dolphinaris Arizona attraction on the Salt River Reservation near Scottsdale in early February 2019.

Dolphinaris Arizona, the dolphin attraction located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Reservation that shuttered after the deaths of four dolphins in its first two years of operation, is officially not reopening.

Ran Knishinsky, a partner and chief marketing officer for Odysea in the Desert which operated Dolphinaris, said the owners, Mexican-based Ventura Entertainment, will be replacing the attraction near Scottsdale with something that will not involve live animals.

“They have a team of about 20 people in Mexico City right now who are planning that next attraction," Knishinsky said. 

Knishinsky said Dolphinaris signs have been removed from the property.

The remaining dolphins from the facility were flown late last month to a marine habitat in the U.S Virgin Islands.

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