SeaQuest Fort Worth Closes Amid Animal Abuse Investigation

The SeaQuest aquarium in Fort Worth, Texas, located inside Ridgmar Mall, has closed its doors months after the Fort Worth police began investigating alleged animal mistreatment. On October 28, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced the closure, noting that SeaQuest Fort Worth no longer appears on the company’s website list of locations.

PETA’s involvement began over two months ago when it filed a complaint with the Tarrant County district attorney’s office. This request came after PETA heard from three former employees of SeaQuest Fort Worth, who described concerning incidents, including the reported starvation of two sharks, Icarus and Achilles, in a cramped tank with multiple species. Additional allegations included fish deaths due to suffocation, toxic ammonia levels, and unsuitable housing and transport conditions. PETA Foundation associate director Molly Johnson stated, “The SeaQuest chain is a scourge, and PETA will continue to call out its dreadful and deadly petting zoos until every location follows suit and closes.”

When initially contacted about the allegations, Fort Worth Animal Care & Control declined to investigate. In August, Brian Daugherty, Fort Worth’s code compliance director, said animal control staff inspected SeaQuest’s animals shortly after the allegations surfaced and found them “healthy and cared for.” However, Fort Worth police concluded that they were not the appropriate authority to lead an investigation into SeaQuest, as zoos and aquariums fall under the USDA’s jurisdiction.

The aquarium chain’s troubles have attracted national attention. Earlier this year, an ABC News report documented over 80 incidents involving human injuries and poor animal care at SeaQuest locations, leading to animal fatalities. The USDA’s recent investigation into the Fort Worth site found overcrowded and unclean habitats. Previous federal citations against SeaQuest Fort Worth included the improper handling of a sloth and a cat that reportedly bit visitors, as well as unsanitary conditions in the duck enclosure.

SeaQuest has faced other setbacks this year. Former CEO Vince Covino, who founded the company and led it for 12 years, resigned in August amid mounting criticism from Animal rights advocates. Since then, SeaQuest locations in Colorado, Connecticut, and Georgia have also closed.

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