From Liz Rattoballi, WABCRadio.com, September 20, 2024
Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut has agreed to settle a federal
investigation over alleged violations related to animal care and water
quality by paying a $12,200 fine, without admitting or denying the
accusations. The investigation followed the deaths of three beluga whales,
brought to the aquarium from Canada in 2021, due to pre-existing health
conditions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposed the settlement in August,
citing violations that the aquarium disputes. Mystic Aquarium’s vice
president, Meagan Seacor, emphasized that the violations had no connection
to the deaths. The whales—Havok, Havana, and Kharabali—suffered from genetic
health problems that were untreatable.
Two of the USDA’s allegations related to Havok, a 5-year-old male who died
in 2021 from an intestinal disease. The agency claimed aquarium staff failed
to seek veterinary care in his final hours despite noticing signs of
distress. They also noted Havok had been injured twice in June 2021 due to
vision problems.
The investigation also revealed high levels of coliform bacteria in the
whales’ pools in late 2021. While this may have contributed to Havana’s
health issues, the aquarium stated the bacteria levels were caused by a
brief equipment malfunction, which was quickly resolved.
The aquarium agreed to the settlement to avoid costly litigation. Seacor
affirmed the aquarium’s commitment to animal care and its mission to protect
marine life. Animal advocacy groups have voiced concerns over the aquarium’s
handling of the situation, with some calling the settlement inadequate.