NJ SeaQuest Put On Probation After Nearly 100 Animals Died There

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — SeaQuest aquarium inside the Woodbridge Center Mall was put on probation by the state of New Jersey last September after the state received multiple complaints about animals dying or being mistreated at the facility. NJ Fish & Wildlife said the complaints have been "numerous" and "legitimate."

This week, PETA alleged that in the past five years SeaQuest has been open at the mall, nearly 100 animals have died there, including two Asian water monitors, a chameleon and two sloths.

The one-year probation is publicly available to read here, and was handed down from Fish & Wildlife, part of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The probation ends Sept. 27, 2024.

If the state receives any new complaints about animals being mistreated or dying at the Woodbridge SeaQuest, the probation will be extended.

Also, if the Woodbridge SeaQuest does not comply with a number of demands — such as ending the petting of unauthorized animals, keeping sick animals away from healthy animals and supplying adequate food and water for animals — they risk permanently losing their operating license and will be shut down, Fish & Wildlife warned.

SeaQuest is still open for business, but in the past year they have not been able to purchase any new animals or unveil any new "please touch" animal exhibits, as per orders from the state.

"Given all the warnings you've received from the Wildlife Permits Unit, the numerous legitimate complaints our office has received, and the many concerns our office has had since SeaQuest opened in Woodbridge, your facility is officially on probation," Fish & Wildlife wrote last September in this letter.

Woodbridge SeaQuest did not respond for this article when asked.

State of NJ also urged 120-day hiatus at Woodbridge SeaQuest this year

Also, in January of this year, NJ Fish & Wildlife urged the Woodbridge SeaQuest to implement a 120-day hiatus on all human interactions with animals, due to an outbreak of mycobacteria, which causes an infection in turtles commonly known as “shell rot.”

"These mycobacteria are very contagious and deadly, and if not treated properly, they can infect other animals, including fish, birds and mammals," wrote Fish & Wildlife in this Jan. 29, 2024 letter. "Therefore, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife strongly urges you to place a temporary hiatus on all public interactions with all regulated wildlife at your facility to last 120 days from the date of this letter, to end May 28, 2024."

It is not known if Woodbridge SeaQuest implemented the 120-day hiatus. They did not respond when asked.

"Poor husbandry is one of the main causes of shell rot and other infections," the state continued.

SeaQuest advertises itself as an exotic animal emporium, where children and adults are invited to touch a variety of animals, such as lizards, pythons, sting rays, chameleons and other exotic animals.

In 2023, three former Woodbridge SeaQuest employees contacted Patch to allege the animals there were not well cared for, including not being given enough water, and were not taken to see a vet quickly enough when they appeared sick.

The employees, all of whom no longer work at SeaQuest and said they did not want to be named, said they witnessed multiple animals die there.

In 2021, an exotic flying squirrel was accidentally crushed to death in a door.

Also, in May PETA sent this letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, requesting the USDA further investigate the May 31, 2023 death of a four-month-old sloth, Suzy, at the Woodbridge SeaQuest.

PETA alleges Suzy died from malnutrition. The USDA previously investigated the death of Suzy and described her condition as “emaciated, dehydrated and bloated” and noted the facility failed to bring her to a veterinarian for several days.

SeaQuest is a chain of aquariums located across the United States. In addition to Woodbridge, there are SeaQuests in Utah, Texas, Las Vegas, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Colorado, Virginia and Georgia.

This February, ABC News published this report about widespread animal welfare complaints at SeaQuest locations nationwide.

SeaQuest is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and NJ Fish & Wildlife.

Prior reporting on the Woodbridge Center Mall SeaQuest:

Flying Squirrel Crushed In Door At Woodbridge Mall SeaQuest (2021)

Criticism Mounts At SeaQuest Aquarium At Woodbridge Center Mall (2020)

Owner Of SeaQuest Aquarium In Woodbridge Responds To Criticism (2020)