PETA Calls for Investigation into East Idaho Aquarium After Whistleblower Reports

Yesterday, PETA urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take immediate action against East Idaho Aquarium following disturbing allegations from a whistleblower. The claims, outlined in a letter to Deputy Administrator Sarah Helming, reveal severe mistreatment of animals, including the deaths of nearly 200 creatures in just three months. PETA’s letter highlights shocking details, such as birds being crushed by visitors during hands-on encounters and baby chicks left to die in freezers after falling from their nests.

The whistleblower reported multiple apparent violations of the Animal Welfare Act, particularly concerning the treatment of baby parakeets. The birds, housed in an aviary alongside adult cockatiels, were denied proper food, shelter, and veterinary care. The whistleblower also noted that visitors fed the birds only when paying for encounters, forcing the animals to remain hungry to encourage interaction.

Additional claims include the aquarium ignoring its veterinarian’s advice to test new birds for psittacosis, a contagious disease affecting both birds and humans. In one alarming incident, an employee allegedly hit a female aracari with a vacuum hose and later bragged about the act, with management reportedly defending the behavior.

Public records obtained by PETA further Support the whistleblower’s allegations, showing that over 2,000 animals died at the facility between June 2019 and September 2022. Michelle Sinnott, PETA Foundation Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement, called the situation at the aquarium a place of “death and despair,” urging families to avoid the facility for the sake of the animals’ lives.

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• Animals Found Sick and Dying at New Jersey Aquarium
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