Speak Up: Malls Are No Places for Shady Aquariums

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Nationwide, SeaQuest—which is owned by Vince Covino—has amassed reports of animal neglect, animal deaths, legal violations, and injuries to the public. So why are malls across the country allowing it to operate aquariums in them?

SeaQuest's Littleton, Colorado, location failed multiple prelicensing inspections, during which authorities found that birds were kept in makeshift or dangerous cages. When the state denied its request to operate temporarily until it received a final permit, the aquarium opened anyway, forcing state officials to issue a cease and desist order. SeaQuest also tried to circumvent the need for a permit by reportedly giving 80 birds to a teenage employee.

sharks in aquarium

At SeaQuest's Las Vegas aquarium, a capybara escaped while being transported in a dog carrier in an open truck bed. Former employees also reported seeing birds stepped on and killed, turtles crushed by children, and an octopus boiled alive when the tank's water temperature changed. An otter also died at this facility, and the company was reportedly cited and fined $2,000 for illegally breeding otters.

Despite having learned of Covino's apparent disregard for the law—and allegations of neglect at the facilities he owns—several malls already allow or are planning to allow SeaQuest to open locations there.

Please take a moment to send polite comments to:

Then, use the form below to ask the following companies not to allow SeaQuest or any other aquarium at their properties moving forward:

  • TRI Commercial Property Management
  • Jones Lang LaSalle
Mike
Sotelo
TRI Commercial Real Estate Services
Nashunda
Jewels Williams
JLL

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