Are The Animals At Mystic Aquarium Mistreated?

Mystic Aquarium, a Connecticut aquarium where three beluga whales died in recent years, has agreed to settle a federal investigation into alleged animal care and water quality violations. The US Department of Agriculture found three “critical violations” of the federal Animal Welfare Act during an inspection of Mystic Aquarium after the August 2021 death of a beluga whale imported from Canada. The aquarium failed to provide adequate veterinary care during the final eight hours of Havok’s life. In August 2020, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a controversial permit under the MMPA to allow Mystic Aquarium to import five captive-born belugas from Marineland, a marine theme park in Canada.

Mystic Aquarium is one of the only two U.S. facilities holding Steller sea lions and has the only beluga whales in New England. The aquarium committed in writing to import only healthy animals. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) found three “critical violations” of the Animal Welfare Act during an inspection last year. Those that treat their animals well are awarded the prestigious Humane Certified TM seal of approval.

The aquarium is one of the few facilities in the United States that has been successful in its efforts to have research facilities and laboratories fined and in some cases closed due to the violations. The aquarium’s research should focus on treating animals well, as those that do so are awarded the prestigious Humane Certified TM seal of approval.

Where does Mystic Aquarium get its animals?

Mystic Aquarium houses permanent animals that were rescued from institutions that couldn’t provide long-term care. These animals, despite their origins, continue to receive the best care and enrichment at the aquarium. They serve as important species ambassadors and provide deep connections to guests, inspiring ocean stewardship. They also provide vital information to Mystic Aquarium scientists and colleagues, who work tirelessly to advance conservation efforts. The animals at Mystic Aquarium provide valuable insights into the conservation of their wild counterparts.

Is Mystic Aquarium a rescue?

Since 1975, Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program (ARP) has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing sick, injured, and stranded marine animals along the Northeastern coastline of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Fishers Island, New York. As a founding member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network, the ARP learns about the reasons behind these animals’ arrival. The ARP works closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and other government agencies, responding to an average of 150 hotline calls annually.

Mystic Aquarium and other stranding network partners conduct necropsies on marine mammals to determine the cause of death. In 2017, NOAA declared an Unusual Mortality Event for three whale species, with ship strikes and entanglement being the most common causes. NOAA has established an FAQ document to address concerns about offshore wind energy projects.

Is PETA against aquariums?

PETA is urging people to boycott marine parks and roadside zoos that keep ocean animals in captivity. They urge local aquariums to create more space for rehabilitating and releasing injured wildlife by refusing to breed more animals. They also urge PETA to pressure officials to avoid subsidizing these facilities with taxpayer money, write letters to local publications, and support legislation prohibiting the capture or display of marine mammals. They also urge SeaWorld and other marine parks to relocate orcas, bottlenose dolphins, and other animals to seaside sanctuaries for their proper care.

What happened to the dolphins at Mystic Aquarium?

In an audio interview, the chief clinical veterinarian of the Mystics, Dr. Jen Flower, confirmed that the Sultan was in a severely compromised state and that the location was anomalous.

How many beluga whales died at Mystic Aquarium?

Connecticut aquarium Mystic Aquarium has agreed to pay a $12, 200 fine to settle a federal investigation over alleged animal care and water quality violations. The whales died from illnesses brought to the aquarium from Canada in 2021. The U. S. Department of Agriculture proposed the settlement on August 13. The aquarium agreed to the conditions, but there was disagreement over whether violations occurred. Meagan Seacor, vice president of external relations for the aquarium, stated that the alleged violations played no role in the whales’ deaths, as they had pre-existing health problems.

What is the problem with marineland?

Marineland has been found guilty of three charges under Ontario’s animal cruelty laws for the care of three black bears. The bears lived in cramped quarters with limited access to water for months. The Niagara Falls tourist attraction sought a stay of the charges, arguing it was an abuse of process, but the court denied that application. Marineland’s actions were part of a larger effort to protect the habitats of endangered species in Ontario.

Why was the beluga whale euthanized?

The beluga whale, which had lost weight and exhibited respiratory distress, was humanely euthanized to prevent further suffering. Veterinarians concluded that the whale was unlikely to survive in the wild. This content is available exclusively to USA TODAY subscribers and includes weekly email newsletters.

What happened at Mystic Aquarium?

A settlement agreement has been reached between the relevant parties, whereby it is alleged that the aquarium in question failed to inform the relevant veterinarians of the health behaviours exhibited by a sick beluga whale and the unsafe bacteria levels present in the pools in 2021.

Is Mystic Aquarium ethical?

Mystic Aquarium has been designated as a Humane Certified™ institution, a distinction currently held by fewer than a dozen other organizations worldwide.

Does Mystic Aquarium take good care of their animals?

Mystic Aquarium prioritizes animal health by providing daily care to thousands of animals, with board-certified veterinarians at the center. The aquarium also maintains an environmental quality laboratory and life support systems to ensure optimal conditions for every animal habitat. The aquarium’s water quality laboratory, certified by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, analyzes over 25, 000 water samples annually, ensuring the highest quality and purity of the 1. 9 million gallons of water used by the animals. This ensures the aquarium’s commitment to animal welfare and the well-being of its animals.

What happened to the beluga whales at Mystic Aquarium?

In August 2021, a 5-year-old male beluga whale named Havok died from an intestinal disease, while two female whales, Havana and Kharabali, died in 2022 and 2023 from storage disease. All three whales’ health problems were genetic and not curable. The Department of Agriculture cited two violations related to Havok’s care, claiming that aquarium staff failed to call for veterinarian care in his last hours of life. Havok, who had vision problems, was injured twice in June 2021, once by ramming himself into a gate and another by striking posts in the aquarium’s medical pool.