With the sale of the last 4 rockhopper penguins, the Mar del Plata Aquarium has definitively emptied its tanks following the bankruptcy of the Plunimar SA company. The closing of the doors to the public, which occurred in March 2025, gave rise to a complex legal matter managed by Judge Eduardo Malde at the National Commercial Court no. 20. While fortunately putting an end to the exploitation of animals for entertainment purposes, the story leaves the bitter taste of a missed opportunity in the mouth. Rather than seizing the closure as an opportunity to reintroduce animals into the wild or relocate them to sanctuaries, the species were treated as assets and mere financial resources to be liquidated to cover corporate debts.
The negotiation with Mexico and the transfer of the last specimens
Last October 7, the 4 rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) were picked up from the facility to be transferred to Ezeiza airport and boarded Aeromexico flight AM029 bound for Mexico City. The specimens were purchased by the company Acuario Vallarta SA de CV of Puerto Vallarta for a total sum of 40,000 dollars ($10,000 each). The operation required 45 days of medical isolation under the supervision of SENASA and recorded the payment of $2.13 million in customs duties.
The settlement map and the fate of the fauna
The sale of the rockhopper penguins represents only the latest act of a million-dollar divestment. Previously, the bankruptcy management led by Judge Eduardo Malde had sold 10 bottlenose dolphins to an oceanarium in Egypt for $800,000. On the free transfer front, 43 Magellanic penguins were transferred to the Bubalcó Foundation in the province of Río Negro, while 2 king penguins and 4 sea lions (named Ciro, Joaco, Nazareno and Mia) were transferred to Mundo Marino in San Clemente del Tuyú. However, previous international offers of 750,000 dollars from Mexico, 950,000 dollars from China for 62 animals and 250,000 dollars from Brazil for around 30 animals have fallen through.
The mystery of the deaths, the thefts and the return of the land
The toll of staying in the 83 meter enclosure of the aquarium was tragic for the fauna. During the trial, 8 Magellanic penguins died inside the facility without veterinary studies being able to ascertain a clear cause. Two other specimens mysteriously disappeared after unknown persons tampered with the protections of the infirmary, prompting judge Eduardo Malde to launch a judicial investigation for theft. With the elimination of the animals and the dismissal of 11 of the 12 remaining workers, on 2 November 2026 the 9 hectare surface in Punta Mogotes will be returned to the owner company Cabo de las Corrientes SA, consigning to history the sad epilogue of a structure in which animal life remained stuck in the logic of profit until the last day.
