A seal pup rescued off Cape Cod being treated in the seal ICU at Mystic Aquarium. © The Providence Journal-USA TODAY
(Mystic, CT) – 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.
