DENVER — Nearly 130 animals from a closed aquarium have a new Colorado home.
Denver Zoo said on Friday that it has rescued animals from the closed SeaQuest aquarium in Jefferson County.
SeaQuest recently closed its location at Southwest Plaza at West Bowles Avenue and South Wadsworth Boulevard, leaving many animals in need of new homes. According to Denver Zoo, SeaQuest had received multiple citations and complaints for animal welfare concerns since it opened in 2018.
Denver Zoo said it led efforts with Downtown Aquarium Denver this week to monitor, evaluate, and place the SeaQuest animals.
Denver Zoo said some of the species rescued include the keel-billed toucan, red-necked wallabies, African pancake tortoises, a New Guinea blue-tongued skink and a number of aquatic species. Some of the species are new to Denver Zoo.
SeaQuest animals move to Denver Zoo
The animals are getting acquainted with their new habitats behind the scenes at the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Animal Hospital and Tropical Discovery.
Denver Zoo's animal care team reports that the new additions are settling in well and will soon be viewable to the public.
“We have a number of rescued animals living here at the Zoo and take the responsibility of bringing in these animals very seriously,” said Bert Vescolani, president and CEO of Denver Zoo.
“We’re fortunate to have the space, resources, and animal health and care expertise to provide the best possible care for these animals, and happy we could assist in this coordinated effort to give them a great new home.”
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