Kategorie: Animals

SeaQuest is making national headlines amid a series of damning ABC News investigations into its facilities, bringing widespread attention to many issues—animal deaths, legal violations, and injuries to staff and the public—that PETA has been covering and working to end for years. 

The Nightmare Laid Bare by Former Employees and Disturbed Visitors

One former employee said that her experience working at SeaQuest was “nothing short of traumatizing.”

“I still have nightmares about the things that I saw there,” she said. She recounted one particularly horrific incident in which she found a bird who was trapped in a wall, and after asking a manager to have someone release the bird, he allegedly told her to “leave it to die”—a telling testament to SeaQuest’s apparent indifference to the suffering of living, feeling animals.

I listened to that bird die for four days. I listened to [them] call for help for four days until [they] didn’t make any noises anymore.”

One woman, whose young daughter was reportedly bitten by a grouper at a SeaQuest facility, said that she was shocked at employees’ response to the child’s injury.

The way that the staff reacted was really shocking. It kind of seemed like it was no big deal to them.”

New Reports Confirm What PETA’s Been Saying

PETA has been raising alarm bells about SeaQuest facilities since they first opened. We have submitted numerous reports to federal, state, and local officials over the decrepit conditions at SeaQuest facilities, animal deaths, and the numerous injuries to staff and guests, including many young children.

Here Are Just Some of the Incidents PETA Has Spoken Out About

• At SeaQuest Littleton, a wallaby named Ben drowned in a tank; a sloth named Flash was severely burned by a heat lamp twice; a patron kicked and stomped on birds in the interactive aviary, killing five of them and injuring others; a pufferfish bit an 8-year-old child; a Burmese python named Barbosa struck and latched onto the hand of an employee; and a Savannah cat bit a guest during a public interaction, resulting in a wound that broke the skin.
• At SeaQuest Fort Worth, a 3-year-old toddler sustained gaping wounds when an iguana “jumped from a rock and latched [onto] his arm”; an otter named Xander injured multiple visitors, including a 6-year-old child; and five sugar gliders died atop one another, trapped in an uncovered vertical pipe.

• At SeaQuest Trumbull, a 12-year-old child was bitten by a sugar glider during an encounter; a young child was scratched in the face by a kinkajou and started post-exposure treatment for rabies because the facility refused to provide the child’s mother with vaccination records; an employee was caught hitting otters with a metal food bowl; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture found rabbits without any food or water in their enclosure.
• At SeaQuest Utah, otters bit customers on multiple occasions; a kinkajou bit an unsupervised guest; and a South American coati bit a customer and an employee during two separate interactions with the public.
• At SeaQuest Las Vegas, a wallaby lunged at a child’s face during a feeding encounter; a female Asian small-clawed otter named Jelly drowned; birds and turtles were allegedly crushed to death by children; and an octopus reportedly boiled to death when a tank’s water temperature increased.

How PETA’s Actions Have Landed SeaQuest in Hot Water

• Following a lengthy history of federal and state citations, a license suspension, and illegal activity, SeaQuest Littleton in Colorado shut down in February 2024.
• SeaQuest closed its locations in Trumbull, Connecticut, and Stonecrest, Georgia, in 2023 following relentless pressure from PETA.
• Our work also helped prevent SeaQuest from opening locations in Florida, New York, and North Dakota.
• After we alerted Clark County Animal Control to concerns regarding the death of two sloths who had exhibited similar symptoms at the Las Vegas location, the agency prohibited the facility from obtaining any more sloths.

Read more about how PETA has kept pressure on the company:

Learn More

YOU Can Help the Animals Still Suffering at SeaQuest Aquariums

Countless animals have already died at SeaQuest locations across the country, but it’s not too late to take action for those still languishing at the remaining seedy mall aquariums. Help us keep pressure on the chain’s remaining U.S. locations by telling the company to end its exploitation of animals and send them to reputable facilities:

Take Action

The post A Shipwreck of Suffering: New Investigations Confirm What PETA’s Been Saying About Seedy SeaQuest Aquariums appeared first on PETA.

If a photographer asked you to say “cruelty” before snapping your photo, would you flash a toothy smile? In PETA’s new thought-provoking public service announcement, codirected by Christian Carl and Jon Walley with Philadelphia-based production company Format, we’re reminding everyone what “Say ‘cheese’” really means for cows who suffer and die in the abusive dairy industry:

“Calf-cow separation” and “repeated forced impregnation” are nothing to smile about—so why do we keep saying “cheese”? Mother cows are fiercely protective of their precious babies, but the dairy industry denies them this important bond, stealing their calves from them shortly after birth. Dairy farms repeatedly impregnate female cows in order to exploit them like milking machines until they’re no longer able to produce milk. Then, these sensitive, gentle mothers are sent to slaughter so that humans can eat their flesh.

Say ‘Compassion!’ Instead

Today’s young people understand that the language we use should reflect our shifting values. Studies suggest that going vegan is growing in popularity among younger generations, as it’s better for our fellow animals, the environment, and our own health. Reportedly, 79% of the Gen Z population goes meatless one day a week and 65% say they want a more plant-forward diet. Another study shows that 19% of Gen Alphas ask their parents to buy plant-based foods.

Replacing tired, outdated phrases with more conscientious ones is a piece of vegan cake. Instead of saying “cheese,” opt for an animal-friendly phrase with that long “e” sound that helps you smile, like “trees,” “bees,” or “nutritional yeast.” There are endless ways to get creative while being kind to our fellow animals.

Go Vegan!

By going vegan, you can spare nearly 200 animals a year, reduce your environmental footprint, and improve your health—now that’s something to smile about. The best part? We’ll help you do it. Order a free vegan starter kit to make the compassionate switch today:

Order a Free Vegan Starter Kit

The post Why You Shouldn’t Say ‘Cheese’ Before a Photo appeared first on PETA.

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Welcome, fellow travelers of Arrakis! In a universe filled with sandworms, spice, and intrigue, one might wonder, Can one still uphold compassionate values amid the tumultuous sands of Dune? Fear not, for we shall embark on a journey through the desert, armed with stillsuits and spice, to uncover the secrets of being vegan in the Dune universe.

The Vegan Path in a Desert World

Arrakis, or Dune, is a planet where water is more precious than gold and the flora and fauna have adapted in fascinating ways to the harsh environment. For a vegan traveler in this universe, the key to sustenance lies in understanding and respecting these adaptations.

The first step to vegan survival on Dune is to embrace the local plant life. Despite the scarcity of water, some resilient plants have carved out a niche in this harsh world. Xerophytic plants, which have adapted to conserve water, can provide nourishment. These might include the fictional “Arrakeen cacti,” capable of storing moisture in their thick leaves, or the “spice melange” plants, which, in moderation, offer unique flavors and nutrition without harming the ecosystem.

Kangaroo Mice: The Clever Foragers

It’s no wonder that a powerful warrior, Paul Atreides, would choose his Fremen name Muad’Dib after the strong and resourceful kangaroo mouse. Observing their ingenious survival tactics, such as using their big ears to collect water to drink, can teach us much about sustainable foraging and living in harmony with the land. Eating the kangaroo mouse diet of seeds and desert plants can guide you to nutritious sources that require minimal environmental impact.

The Perils of Harvesting Sandworm Bile

In Dune: Part Two, stealing sandworm bile, the bright blue liquid called “the Water of Life,” is fraught with danger. Not only is it a violation of the sacred bond between the Fremen and the sandworms, it also unleashes untold chaos upon the desert. Let us heed the lessons of the past and refrain from such folly. Instead, let us honor the sandworms as guardians of the spice and stewards of the desert, ensuring that their bodies remain undisturbed beneath the sands.

Sandworms Aren’t Taxis

In the annals of Arrakis, riding sandworms not only disrupts the delicate balance of the desert ecosystem but also risks angering the mysterious forces that govern the sands. Instead, let us marvel at the sandworms from afar, honoring their role as guardians of the desert.

HELP BAN CAMEL RIDES

Using Our Language to Respect Our Fellow Animals—Including Humans

In Dune: Part Two, the Harkonnens call the Fremen “rats”—well, we think there is no greater compliment! The Harkonnens’ derogatory use of the term is a call to action for us to challenge our perceptions of and biases against other beings, no matter the species. The Harkonnen mislabeling of the Fremen as another animal species inadvertently highlights a fundamental truth: All of us share a common bond. By recognizing that every animal is someone and living in a way that honors everyone’s rights, we move closer to a world in which labels of division give way to bridges of empathy and understanding.

LANGUAGE MATTERS

In the first Dune reboot, Gaius Helen Mohiam says to Paul, “An animal caught in a trap will gnaw off its own leg to escape,” a testament to their survival skills. Here on Earth, we can help animals whom hunters trap and kill by never buying fur or any other animal-derived material. In Dune: Part Two, Paul Atreides references the Bene Gesserit’s comment, saying, “Die like an animal,” when he kills [spoiler] at the end. It’s a device to show he’s not a perfect leader. But we can all learn from our mistakes. Whether a kangaroo mouse, a sandworm, or a human, all animals deserve respect and freedom from exploitation.

HELP ANIMALS KILLED FOR FUR

Sustainable Living on Dune

Being vegan on Dune is about more than just food—it’s a holistic approach to minimizing one’s impact on the planet’s delicate ecosystem. Conserving water, adopting renewable energy sources like wind or solar (harnessing the power of the relentless desert sun), and supporting local, sustainable spice production can contribute to a harmonious existence on Arrakis.

So let us tread lightly on the sands of Arrakis, extending our kindness to all beings, from the smallest desert mouse to the great Shai-Hulud, as we navigate the stars guided by universal compassion. Let’s bring that compassion back to Earth, where most of us live on terrain much kinder than the stormy, turbulent desert. Unlock humanity’s fullest potential by respecting all of our fellow animals by not eating them, riding them, or stealing their body parts.

The post Desert Mouse Wisdom: Vegan Tips From Dune appeared first on PETA.

With the Smokehouse Creek fire extending to nearly 1.3 million acres—becoming the largest wildfire in Texas history and the second largest in U.S. history—and conditions expected to worsen this weekend, PETA warns that animals are likely to die if abandoned during an evacuation. This information will undoubtedly save many animals’ lives and avoid much human remorse.

During evacuations, PETA urges ranchers to cut fences and open stalls to allow cows, horses, and other large animals at least a fighting chance to escape. Thousands of cows have already died, as 85% of cows in Texas live in the panhandle where the fires are raging. There is footage online showing cows trying to get away and horses running for their lives. Anyone who sees animals in danger or distress should assist if possible, but if they’re unable to help, they should note their exact location and alert authorities immediately.

Small animals such as cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, and gerbils should be placed securely in carriers (birds should be covered), and dogs should be kept on a secure harness and leash. Take enough food for your animals to last several days.

Residents in areas affected by smoke and falling ash should keep animals indoors and avoid all outdoor activities, such as running with dogs.

Anyone who evacuates and intentionally abandons animals to fend for themselves may be prosecuted.

Please see PETA’s wildfire-preparedness public service announcement featuring Ali MacGraw.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

The post Urgent From PETA: Wildfire Survival Tips to Help Animals, Large and Small appeared first on PETA.