Months after former SeaQuest employees reported allegations of abuse and neglect to both ABC News and PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) the Fort Worth location has closed, local news reported.
A sign on the door of the Ridgmar Mall location states that it’s closed, and another note asks employees to leave their badges and SeaQuest work shirts. Five locations in the US remain open at this time.
In the spring of 2024, ABC News began investigating the chain and discovered the company received at least 80 citations for insufficient animal care, risks of disease, and animal deaths. Internal communication between a veterinarian and a SeaQuest director reportedly exposed how the company failed to vaccinate otters against rabies when they were due and, once the otters were vaccinated, allegedly allowed people to interact with otters during what should have been a a quarantine period — despite this violating the Animal Welfare Act.
In the summer, whistleblowers went to PETA and news agencies with videos of animals appearing to suffer in captivity. Nurse sharks Icarus and Achilles allegedly died from starvation, likely stemming from the stress of being forced to live in inadequate tanks.
“Icarus, he was the first one to die,” former employee Riley Peninger told NBC News. “He was not eating. It had been a trend for a long time. We’d been letting people know that he wasn’t eating for a long time, but nothing was really being done about it, and then he ended up passing.”
Fish have also allegedly been found dead after being shipped in plastic garbage bags from the Littleton, Colorado location, according to the whistleblowers. Some of the fish may have suffocated, while others allegedly died after suffering painful burns due to ammonia toxicity in the water they were shipped in. These marine animals, who are as sentient and feeling as any other animal, deserved better — and the closure of this facility is welcome news. Investigations into SeaQuest also helped inspire the Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibition Act, an addition to the Animal Welfare Act that — if passed — could finally protect sharks, fish, and other cold-blooded animals from cruelty and neglect.
Lady Freethinker commends everyone who came forward to expose how animals at SeaQuest were reportedly suffering — and urges everyone to vow never to support businesses that keep wild animals in captivity for the sake of entertainment and profit. And, if you haven’t already, please sign our petition to urge Congress to pass the Cold-blooded Animal Research and Exhibit Act.
