Controversial Dolphin Trainer Tapped for Georgia Aquarium Job Found Dead in Spain

Photo Credit: Diliff/Wikimedia Commons

A Spanish dolphin trainer who had been chosen to fill a vice presidential role at the Georgia Aquarium before allegations of animal abuse surface against him has been found dead at an airport in Spain.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jose Luis Barbero was found dead inside his car at the Palma de Mallorca airport. Authorities suspect that Barbero took his own life. He had disappeared from his home a week before his body was discovered.

Barbero had been selected to become Georgia Aquarium’s newest senior vice president last month, but a video released by animal rights activists purported to show Barbero hitting and screaming at dolphins in his care. A second video was released two days after Barbero disappeared, showing more alleged abuse of animals, the AJC said.

Georgia Aquarium CEO Mark Leven told WSB-TV a few days after the story broke that the aquarium was investigating the video, and would terminate Barbero if the footage was deemed authentic. He criticized the hasty rush to judgment against Barbero, stating that he and his family had received death threats since the allegations became public.

Leven released a statement following Barbero’s death which expressed ”sadness, outrage and frustration” at the news, adding that the investigation into the allegations was not complete at the time Barbero died. Leven further blamed “activists, consultants and some in our own community” for driving the trainer to kill himself.

Read the full statement at the AJC.