Officials in New Jersey have begun the process of shutting down Seaquest’s long-troubled facility in Woodbridge following numerous complaints and animal welfare violations. Currently it’s only the exotic animals that the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife were holding the permits for. The fight to close it completely is ongoing. 

In 2023, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) placed it on probation after years of animal abuse allegations and citations, which was extended indefinitely after SeaQuest failed to take corrective action. In January, the DEP revoked SeaQuest’s permits for keeping wild and exotic animals for violating the Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act. It has already removed 25 animals from the location, including a sloth, two otters, a toucan, snakes, reptiles, and an axolotl. 

While we are thrilled that the facility’s exotics permit was revoked and the exotic animals were seized, we are very concerned about the other animals, such as the farmed animals, who remain there in poor conditions. The Woodbridge Health Department is responsible for the permits for nine of the farmed animals, but despite the Department of Fish and Wildlife finding that the level of animal care and conditions were so poor that they removed all of SeaQuest’s exotic animals, the Woodbridge Health Department sees nothing wrong with the conditions of the animals it is responsible for providing permits for.

There are also fish that are being used for fish pedicures, which is illegal in the state of New Jersey, but the New Jersey Board of Cosmetology, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the USDA all claim that it is the responsibility of the Woodbridge Health Department. However, the Woodbridge Health Department says that it is not responsible.

Investigations have uncovered horrific conditions and severe neglect at SeaQuest facilities, including dirty, cramped enclosures, lack of natural light, and high levels of stress from being on display and forced to endure human interactions. It is known for its premature animal deaths, human injuries, legal violations, and citations from both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. People, including young children, are encouraged to touch, feed, and interact with animals, which subjects both animals and human visitors to the risk of injury and the spread of zoonotic diseases. In 2021, we visited the Woodbridge location and found horrible conditions for animals, employees, and visitors. Our investigation prompted us to create an action alert calling for the closure of all remaining SeaQuest locations.

Then, at the end of October 2024, we published another alert calling for the shutdown of SeaQuest’s Woodbridge location instead of extended probation.

Although that hasn’t happened quite yet, we are celebrating the fact that the exotic animal permit was revoked and the exotic animals were seized. Additionally, the facility is not allowed to move animals to other locations without approval from the state, is required to immediately end public interactions with all regulated wildlife, and must provide veterinary and death records for its animals. 

Local activists are pushing for an ordinance that would shut down this location, but the town council is shifting the burden to the DEP and Department of Health.

Fortunately, the pressure on this company is having a positive impact. Locations in Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Texas have been permanently closed and only four SeaQuest locations remain in New Jersey, Nevada, Utah, and California. The SeaQuest location in Stonecrest, Georgia is currently closed for renovations but will reopen at some point with a new name and new local management. 

Donations to support our work on this issue are always welcomed and appreciated.