SeaQuest Littleton Closing After Years of Animal Welfare Concerns

After years of controversy and numerous citations, SeaQuest, the interactive aquarium zoo in the Denver metro area, is bidding farewell to its Littleton location for good. The decision to close its doors permanently on February 4 has been met with mixed emotions, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter for the establishment.

Source: CBS Colorado/YouTube

Since its inception in June 2018 within Southwest Plaza, SeaQuest Littleton has been a focal point of concern for visitors and animal welfare advocates. Reports of injuries to both guests and animals have served as a point of contention.

The interactive business model employed by SeaQuest has been a subject of contention. According to PETA‘s Michelle Sinnott, the director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement at the PETA Foundation, the model essentially commodifies wild animals, compelling them into direct contact encounters to generate revenue. This approach has raised ethical questions and sparked complaints from Animal rights activists for years.

Colorado state records reveal a troubling history, with at least 30 injuries reported between June 2018 and January 2019 alone. From python strikes to iguana bites, incidents involving visitors revealed intense safety concerns within the facility. Even the animals themselves weren’t spared from harm, as evidenced by instances like a sugar glider requiring a tail amputation after an enclosure mishap.

The regulatory landscape hasn’t been favorable either. The state Department of Agriculture intervened, issuing a cease and desist order due to overcrowded bird exhibits. Although Colorado Parks and Wildlife suspended SeaQuest’s license for regulated animals, the aquarium managed to remain operational, albeit under heightened scrutiny.

For SeaQuest, the closure marks the end of a troubled journey. Despite assurances of relocating its animals safely, the move will have its challenges. While the company vows to prioritize the well-being of the creatures, critics remain skeptical, pointing to past grievances and the closure of other SeaQuest locations in Connecticut and Georgia.

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