The group may have been small, but their signs and chants garnered quite a bit of support on Saturday morning as community members protested SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium.
About 10 concerned animal lovers gathered on the corner of West Bowles Avenue and South Flower Street, bearing signs with messages such as “Boycott SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium” and “Shut them down now!” Several more stood on the corner of South Wadsworth Boulevard and West Bowles Avenue.
SeaQuest was served a cease and desist letter on July 23 from the Colorado Department of Agriculture for reportedly operating without a license, which is required of operations with 30 or more birds. The aquarium has come under fire before when former employees at its Las Vegas location alleged animal neglect, according to a story by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Although Carla Zinanti, animal control manager with Jeffco, said her department has received a number of complaints about SeaQuest, including reports of murky tanks and a stressed wallaby, she said the agency has found most to be unfounded. “We investigated them all, and there was no basis for any charges,” Zinanti said. “We did walk through the whole place with a vet who specializes in aquatics and exotics, and there wasn’t anything of concern that we found.”
Contact reporter Deborah Swearingen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 303-350-1042. Follow her on Twitter @djswearingen.
Founded in 1989, the Columbine Courier is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in South Jefferson County, Colorado, and the surrounding area.
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