FOLSOM, Calif. — A protest erupted at SeaQuest’s Folsom location Saturday over the alleged mistreatment of animals.
While not the first time the interactive aquarium has been protested, this most recent one comes after ABC10’s investigative report uncovered multiple citations by the United States Department of Agriculture against SeaQuest and conversations with a former employee sharing their stories about how animals are treated.
“We heard about their investigation with the news on ABC and definitely wanted to protest,” said Franco.
The protest was held at the Palladio and Broadstone parkways intersection, right before the SeaQuest location in the Palladio Mall. Protestors wore shirts with the names of animals they say have died in SeaQuests care.
“This is no place for animal exploitation, we don’t want this in our city and people need to learn about it. These animals are losing their lives,” said organizer Raquel Franco. “It’s just wrong, we are going to do what we can to put pressure on this location trying to get them shut down too.”
Linda Middlesworth, a member of PETA, has been protesting for animal rights for 36 years.
“(Animals) deserve to have protection and freedom just like humans do and not be used and abused for commercial purposes,” she said. “This is all about money. We've had undercover people that have worked there before tell us that what (SeaQuest) says, that they are humane and wonderful, is not true.”
ABC10 spoke to a former employee who asked to remain anonymous. She cited concerns over enclosure size and cleanliness, and a business structure she says focused too much on making money off interactions instead of animal care.
SeaQuest previously released a statement to ABC10 in response to the investigation saying, in part, they “continually implement training and procedures to ensure we are working to prevent citation… All locations complete USDA daily and weekly audit checks in keeping with regulation and requirements…the number one priority for SeaQuest, above all, is to ensure the health and safety of our animals and provide a high quality of life.”
ABC10 reached out to SeaQuest about Saturday’s protest but have not heard back as of publishing.
WATCH MORE: Investigating SeaQuest | ABC10 Originals
