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SeaQuest (aquariums)

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SeaQuest Holdings, LLC
Seaquest
Company typePrivate
FoundedNovember 2015
Headquarters
Boise, Idaho
,
U.S.
Area served
United States
Key people
Vince Covino, founder and CEO[1]
ServicesEntertainment, aquariums, petting zoos
Revenue$5 million
Number of employees
300
Websitevisitseaquest.com

SeaQuest Holdings, LLC better known as just SeaQuest, is an interactive marine, exotic mammal, and bird/reptile life attraction chain. It was founded by Vince Covino and features hands-on animal interactions at shopping malls throughout the United States.[2] The company has locations in Utah, Las Vegas, New Jersey, California and Minnesota.[3] SeaQuest has attracted considerable controversy and legal issues due to concerns over its animal care standards.

History

[edit]

SeaQuest was established in 2015 by Vince Covino.[4] Prior to the launch of SeaQuest, along with his brother Ammon, founded Portland Aquarium in 2012 (closed 2016),[5] the Austin Aquarium in 2013[6] and the San Antonio Aquarium in 2014.[7]

SeaQuest opened its first location at Layton, Utah in 2016.[8] This location was followed by one in the Las Vegas area, which also opened in 2016 at The Boulevard Mall.[9] A third location opened in Fort Worth, Texas in 2017.[10]

SeaQuest provides an immersive experience for visitors by allowing guests to touch, feed, and interact with exotic birds, reptiles, mammals, and marine life through hands-on exhibits throughout the aquarium.[11] Although similar to its sister aquariums, SeaQuest locations are usually housed within shopping malls.

SeaQuest's Littleton, Colorado location opened in June 2018.[12] SeaQuest went on to open its fifth location in Folsom in September 2018.[13][12] The company's location at the Stonecrest Mall opened in 2021 and was the first step of a redevelopment project by Stonecrest Resorts.[14]

In June 2023, the Stonecrest, Georgia location permanently closed. A new aquarium is supposed to be taking over the location.[15] In August 2023, the Trumbull, Connecticut location permanently closed after years of animal welfare violations.[16]

In October 2024, The SeaQuest located in Ridgmar Mall in Fort Worth, Texas permanently closed after PETA launched a campaign against the location for severe animal cruelty that was uncovered by former employees of the location. [17]

In December 2024, SeaQuest filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after it was revealed that animals and employees were placed in dangerous conditions at the company's locations. The aquariums will remain open during the procedure.[18]

SeaQuest employee with tegu.
SeaQuest employee with an Asian water monitor.

Locations

[edit]

As of 2024, SeaQuest currently has 5 locations across the United States.[3]

Location Date Opened
Layton, Utah 2016
Las Vegas, Nevada 2016
Folsom, California 2018[19]
Roseville, Minnesota 2018[20]
Woodbridge, New Jersey 2019[21]
SeaQuest employee dressed as a mermaid.
SeaQuest employee dressed as a mermaid.

Former locations

[edit]
Location Date Opened Date Closed
Fort Worth, Texas 2017 October 28, 2024[22]
Littleton, Colorado 2018[23] February 7, 2024[24]
Lynchburg, Virginia 2019[25] October 18, 2024[26]
Stonecrest, Georgia 2021[7] 2023 [27]
Trumbull, Connecticut 2019[20] 2023 [28]

Community engagement

[edit]

SeaQuest organized an event in collaboration with Layton Communities That Care to support the prevention underage drinking.[29] In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, SeaQuest's Stonecrest location also offered free COVID vaccinations.[30][[31] SeaQuest also organized an event for Georbrand Jackson, a 10-year-old who was injured in a drive-by shooting, in December 2021.[32][33]

Violations and incidents

[edit]

SeaQuest has been subject to boycott and protests by animal-rights advocates such as PETA[34] and actor Alec Baldwin, who blocked an aquarium from being constructed on Long Island.[35] In addition, SeaQuest has had numerous violations and incidents at its various locations.[36]

Littleton, Colorado

[edit]
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife suspended SeaQuest's exhibitor's license for two years due to an abundance of egregious violations related to the animals' welfare at the facility.[37]
  • In 2019, a sloth named Flash was burned by a heat lamp on two occasions resulting in significant burns to its face.[38] The employee responsible for the animal's care was charged with cruelty-to-animals, but was found not guilty.[39]
  • In 2018, Colorado Parks and Wildlife cited and fined SeaQuest for failing to report the death of a regulated kookaburra and issued warnings for the unlawful importation and possession of six wood ducks, unlawful importation of a caiman and wallaby, five counts of failing to report injuries to humans, and failing to report the deaths of 250 trout.[40]
  • In 2018, SeaQuest failed a Colorado Department of Agriculture pre-license inspection. Issues included illegal transfer of koi fish, unsanitary conditions, and allowing visitors to walk through the aviary while birds were grounded, creating a precarious environment where the birds were vulnerable to being stepped on.[41]
  • Additional events in 2018 included SeaQuest storing approximately 80 parakeets in an employee's garage after the company was ordered to shut down the interactive aviary,[42] and a state fine for SeaQuest's unlawful procurement of a two-toed sloth and failure to obtain an appropriate license for the animal.[43]
  • Approximately 30 injuries involving animal-to-human bites were reported to occur between June 2018 and January 2019.[44]
  • Permanently closed on February 4, 2024 due to animal welfare violations.[45]
A kid petting a snake at SeaQuest.
A kid petting a snake at SeaQuest.

Las Vegas, Nevada

[edit]
  • In 2019, Clark County Administrative Services suspended SeaQuest's exotic-animal permit because the facility held unpermitted otters and coatimundi. The agency imposed a $2,000 fine due to an Asian small-clawed otter dying after being caught in a water pool filtration system, and imposed an additional $2,000 fine for unpermitted animal breeding of Asian small-clawed otters.[35][46]
  • In 2018, a capybara named Wesley escaped while en route to a veterinary office and was injured in the process.[47]

Fort Worth, Texas

[edit]
  • In 2019, the United States Department of Agriculture cited SeaQuest for failing to reduce the risk of injury to visitors during public encounters with an Asian small-clawed otter.[48]
  • In 2024, both local and federal officials confirmed the Fort Worth location was under investigation following animal-neglect complaints from former SeaQuest employees.[49] The aquarium closed in October of that year.[50]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium CEO talks about plans, critics". CTInsider.com. September 14, 2019.
  2. ^ Drake, Sarah (June 6, 2013). "Portland, Boise aquarium owners bringing one to Austin". Austin Business Journal. Austin. Archived from the original on June 10, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium & Petting Zoo | Buy Tickets Online & Save". SeaQuest USA.
  4. ^ "Arrest is latest problem for family tied to new Utah aquarium". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  5. ^ "Portland Aquarium to close in 2016". The Seattle Times. December 18, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  6. ^ Lim, Andra. "Austin Aquarium opens as scrutiny increases". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Sears, David (October 16, 2014). "KSAT gets behind the scenes look at new SA aquarium". KSAT. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  8. ^ "Aquarium offering 'interactive' experience coming to Layton Hills Mall". standard.net. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  9. ^ "The Boulevard Welcomes SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium with Sharks, Stingrays and other Marine Animals". December 18, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  10. ^ "Want to swim with sharks and stingrays? A look inside the new aquarium at Ridgmar". star-telegram.com. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  11. ^ "Our Story". SeaQuest USA. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  12. ^ a b "SeaQuest to Open Newest Interactive Aquarium Near Sacramento". InPark Magazine. April 3, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  13. ^ "Let's Go: Visit with the animals at Folsom's SeaQuest". goldcountrymedia.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  14. ^ Hansen, Zachary. "Developer says new aquarium at Stonecrest mall is just the beginning". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. ISSN 1539-7459. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  15. ^ "SeaQuest Stonecrest to close for renovations and reopen under new name, management".
  16. ^ "SeaQuest Connecticut announces closure".
  17. ^ Gonzales, Ella (December 4, 2024). "SeaQuest files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy following Fort Worth store closure". Fort Worth Start-Telegram. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
  18. ^ "SeaQuest declares bankruptcy amid calls from animal activists to close". KTNV. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  19. ^ "Let's Go: Visit with the animals at Folsom's SeaQuest". goldcountrymedia.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Grice, Jordan (July 2, 2019). "SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium opens in Trumbull". Connecticut Post. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "SeaQuest Aquarium Coming to Woodbridge, NJ This Fall". Mommy Poppins. May 6, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  22. ^ Natalie Neysa Alund, "SeaQuest under investigation, closes Fort Worth location over animal neglect allegations," USATODAY.com, 30 October 2024.
  23. ^ Kleiman, Joe (April 3, 2018). "SeaQuest to Open Newest Interactive Aquarium Near Sacramento". InPark Magazine. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Lavezzorio, Claire (January 29, 2024). "SeaQuest Littleton to close after years of citations, injuries to visitors and animals". Denver7 News. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  25. ^ Irby, Sarah (October 2019). "SeaQuest to open October 18 in Lynchburg". wdbj7.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  26. ^ "SeaQuest". October 14, 2024.
  27. ^ "SeaQuest Stonecrest to close for renovations and reopen under new name, management". Yahoo News. June 15, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  28. ^ Holmes-Brown, Shaniece (August 17, 2023). "Trumbull SeaQuest closing follows two more USDA inspections". CT Post. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
  29. ^ "SeaQuest Aquarium scavenger hunt to prevent underage drinking". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). March 30, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  30. ^ Hansen, Zachary. "Stonecrest aquarium offers free admission, $100 gift cards to vaccinated visitors". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  31. ^ "DeKalb Commissioner Cochran-Johnson, developer Vaughn Irons co-sponsors 2nd free COVID-19 vaccination event". On Common Ground News. January 27, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  32. ^ "SeaQuest provides "magical" day to 10-year-old Stonecrest boy who was injured in drive-by shooting". On Common Ground News. December 31, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  33. ^ "10-Year-Old Boy Who Was Shot Gets Merry Christmas At SeaQuest Stonecrest". Decatur-Avondale Estates, GA Patch. December 29, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  34. ^ "PETA calls out Utah aquarium that was cited after several guests bitten". ABC4 Utah. March 21, 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Citation issued as SeaQuest remains under investigation". KTNV. February 25, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  36. ^ "Inspection Report". acis.aphis.edc.usda.gov. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  37. ^ "CPW suspends license for SeaQuest aquarium". KMGH. May 15, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  38. ^ "SeaQuest Criminal Trial Set After Sloth Suffers Burns (Aug. 2019)". PETA. May 15, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  39. ^ "Aquarium worker found not guilty of animal cruelty in case of an injured sloth". The Denver Post. October 2, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  40. ^ "SeaQuest license suspended after repeated violations". Colorado Community Media. May 15, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  41. ^ "New SeaQuest aquarium fails 2 animal welfare inspections". FOX31 Denver. July 19, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  42. ^ "SeaQuest stores 80 parakeets in teenager's garage; state investigating". FOX31 Denver. August 8, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  43. ^ Fleming, Sara (September 5, 2019). "SeaQuest Littleton Employee Faces Animal-Neglect Charges". Westword. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  44. ^ "State investigating SeaQuest, 30 injuries reported". KMGH. February 28, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  45. ^ "SeaQuest Littleton to close following animal welfare concerns". CBS News. January 28, 2024.
  46. ^ "Another animal death uncovered at SeaQuest". KTNV. June 28, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  47. ^ "Capybara found safe after brief escape from Las Vegas aquarium". October 23, 2018.
  48. ^ "SeaQuest in Hot Water Over Dangerous Public Handling of Otter". PETA. March 14, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  49. ^ Allie Spillyards, "Former aquarium employee speaks out as federal, local agencies begin investigation amid allegations of neglect," NBCDFW.com, 22 August 2024.
  50. ^ Natalie Neysa Alund, "SeaQuest under investigation, closes Fort Worth location over animal neglect allegations," USATODAY.com, 30 October 2024.
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