![\"SeaQuest.\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.animals24-7.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Picsart_25-02-16_19-20-32-771-e1739762461452.jpg?ssl=1\")
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<\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n WOODBRIDGE, N.J.\u2013\u2013<\/strong>A clue to the possible disposition of at least some of the estimated 7,500 animals left in limbo by the December 2024 application for Chapter 11 bankruptcy of SeaQuest Holdings LLC came in a January 29,\u00a0 2025 letter from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to the SeaQuest franchise in Woodbridge,\u00a0 New Jersey.<\/p>\n A Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows a bankrupt business to retain assets and remain in business while discharging debts.<\/p>\n A Chapter 11 bankruptcy could allow the five remaining SeaQuest aquarium locations to keep their animals,\u00a0 despite repeated alleged violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act and state and local animal care standards.<\/p>\n <\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n The SeaQuest chain featured many hands-on exhibits that allowed visitors to touch,\u00a0 pet,\u00a0 and in some cases actually pick up and handle the animals,\u00a0 many of them not aquatic species despite the implications of the SeaQuest name.<\/p>\n Of 14 SeaQuest locations originally opened,\u00a0 those still in operation are in Folsom,\u00a0 California;\u00a0 Layton,\u00a0 Utah;\u00a0 Las Vegas,\u00a0 Nevada;\u00a0 Roseville,\u00a0 Minnesota;\u00a0 and Woodbridge, New Jersey,\u00a0 the one within the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Department has constructively seized all regulated animals possessed by SeaQuest,\u201d the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection letter to SeaQuest said,\u00a0 according to Brianna Kudisch of NJ Advance Media<\/em>.<\/p>\n Kudisch disclosed the content of the letter on February 11,\u00a0 2025.<\/p>\n <\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n \u201cThe state Department of Environmental Protection sent a letter to SeaQuest Woodbridge notifying the aquarium it has started to revoke its permits,\u201d\u00a0 Kudisch said.\u00a0 \u201cThe move comes two years after state officials placed the facility on probation after years of animal abuse allegations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Notice of Revocation and Administrative Order requires SeaQuest to comply with all permit regulations and prohibits SeaQuest from transferring any regulated species to another location without the Department\u2019s permission,\u201d \u00a0department spokesperson Caryn Shinske told Kudisch in a written statement.<\/p>\n Failing SeaQuest locations in the past have moved their animals to other SeaQuest facilities.<\/p>\n SeaQuest was given 20 days to appeal the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection order.\u00a0 That time will expire on February 20,\u00a0 2025.<\/p>\n <\/a> Monitor lizard at SeaQuest Littleton.<\/strong><\/em> Still operating,\u00a0 SeaQuest Woodbridge \u201cis barred from moving any animals to other locations without approval from the state, according to the state\u2019s letter,\u201d\u00a0 Kudisch said.<\/p>\n \u201cSeaQuest must also provide veterinary and death records for its animals, and is required to immediately cease public interactions with its wildlife.<\/p>\n \u201cThe company must also test a few of its birds \u2014 the green-winged macaw, \u00a0blue and yellow macaw and rose breasted cockatoo \u2014 for avian chlamydiosis and send the results to the state,\u201d\u00a0 Kudisch added.<\/p>\n Opened inside the Woodbridge Center mall in 2019,\u00a0 SeaQuest was placed on probation in September 2023 after repeated alleged violations of New Jersey animal care laws.<\/p>\n <\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n \u201cThe aquarium\u2019s probation was scheduled to end after a year,\u201d\u00a0 Kudisch explained, \u00a0\u201cbut state officials sent SeaQuest a letter in 2024 outlining corrective actions the company allegedly failed to take. \u00a0The probation was extended indefinitely.<\/p>\n \u201cThe alleged violations included conditions that allowed animals in the SeaQuest aquarium to attack each other for years,\u00a0 poorly constructed enclosures, \u00a0inadequate veterinary records, \u00a0and animals found with missing limbs,\u201d\u00a0 Kudisch detailed.<\/p>\n Among the debts declared by SeaQuest Holding in petitioning for bankruptcy were reportedly more than $381,000 in back rent owed to the Woodbridge Center mall.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Department of Environmental Protection orders apply to SeaQuest\u2019s amphibians, birds,\u00a0 mammals including a sloth and otter, \u00a0and reptiles including a snake, \u00a0pythons, \u00a0a lizard and tortoise,\u201d\u00a0 updated Suzanne Russell for MyCentralJersey.com<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/a> (Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n \u201cNew Jersey state records uncovered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA],\u201d\u00a0 Russell added, \u00a0\u201creveal that nearly 100 animals have died at SeaQuest Woodbridge in the past five years \u2014 including a baby sloth who died less than a month after arriving at the facility.\u201d<\/p>\n Said PETA Foundation general counsel for captive animal law enforcement Brittany Peet, \u201cOtters, sloths, lizards, and other animals held at SeaQuest Woodbridge will get a small measure of relief from being poked and harassed by the public, \u00a0but they are still suffering in SeaQuest\u2019s filthy tanks and shoddy cages.<\/p>\n \u201cPETA urges SeaQuest to send the surviving animals to reputable facilities,\u201d\u00a0 Peet emphasized,\u00a0 \u201cand PETA encourages everyone to stay far away from this dangerous and incompetent hellhole.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/a> SeaQuest never offered an interactive experience with a T-rex,\u00a0 but might have if it could have.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/em>(Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n Along with PETA,\u00a0 \u201cTAPinto Woodbridge-Carteret<\/em> heard from Avenel-based Stop Seaquest-Woodbridge, \u00a0the Uncle Neil\u2019s Home [sanctuary for farmed animals] in Gloucester County,\u00a0 \u00a0and Revolution Philadelphia,\u201d\u00a0 self-described as an \u201cindependent grassroots animal rights organization founded and organized by women,\u201d\u00a0 reported TapInto.net<\/em> correspondent Tony Galloto,\u00a0 \u201ceach applauding the state\u2019s latest actions.<\/p>\n \u201cStopSeaquest-Woodbridge,\u00a0 represented by Avenel activists Nicole Paternoster and Jessica Maher,\u201d\u00a0 Galloto added,\u00a0 on February 15,\u00a0 2025 continued a long-running series of protests \u201coutside the Woodbridge Center mall. \u00a0They will also appeal to the Woodbridge Township Council on Tuesday, \u00a0February 18,\u00a0 2025, \u00a0to revoke municipal business and health permits,\u201d\u00a0 Galloto said.<\/p>\n <\/a> SeaQuest promotional images.<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\n \u201cAn email from the Avenel group says Woodbridge Township \u2018tries to pretend we are not here,\u201d\u00a0 Galloto continued,\u00a0 \u2018and claims to have no jurisdiction over\u2019 SeaQuest-Woodbridge.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cStopSeaQuest believes Woodbridge \u00a0\u2018does have the right to revoke (local) permits under Woodbridge Ordinance 11-8.1,\u201d\u00a0 Galloto finished,\u00a0 which allows operating permits for animal facilities to be revoked if falling short of \u201cmaintaining the good health of the animal(s) in question.\u201d<\/p>\n The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection action comes with the fate of as many as 6,000 animals at the other four SeaQuest locations still undecided.<\/p>\n The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Boise,\u00a0 Idaho,\u00a0on January 31,\u00a0 2025 \u00a0blocked an application from SeaQuest Holdings LLC to sell the remaining company assets\u2013\u2013including the animals\u2013\u2013to a 4% shareholder in the bankrupt company for $80,000,\u00a0 mere pennies on the dollar owed.<\/p>\nAs many as 6,000 animals at other sites owned by the bankrupt SeaQuest interactive aquarium chain remain in limbo<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nSeaQuest allowed touching,\u00a0 petting\u2013\u2013and other locations still do<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\u201cStarted to revoke permits\u201d<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
(Beth Clifton collage)<\/strong><\/em><\/div>\nNot allowed to transfer animals<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nFailed probation<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\u201cNearly 100 animals died at SeaQuest Woodbridge in five years\u201d<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\nStop Seaquest Woodbridge<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\u201cTries to pretend we are not here\u201d<\/h2>\n