With the release of this video, Jose Luis Barbero posted a statement on his Facebook page (which was translated by The Dodo) that read, “I believe a response is needed to this brutal and cowardly campaign against my profession … I can only say from my lawyers’ recommendations that this video is a montage created to provoke a campaign challenging my professionalism over 35 years.” Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Barbero also told Spanish media that his former co-workers at Marineland Mallorca had “orchestrated” this incident. CNN adds that the video does not clearly show Barbero’s face and could not verify if the footage was authentic.

Nevertheless, another article from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution states that the Georgia Aquarium put Barbero’s employment on hold as they investigated the abuse claims. CNN notes that the aquarium also had doubts that the video was genuine. They hired and sent a former FBI agent to Spain to look into Barbero and the video. However, Barbero was then reported missing — he left his home in Mallorca and never returned. Two days later, a second video, also allegedly displaying Barberbo’s abusive behavior toward dolphins, was released (via WSB-TV). A subsequent search ensued for Barbero on land, air, and sea to no avail.