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 USDA, APHIS, Animal Care  5 re
ANIMAL WELFARE COMPLAINT  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complaint No. Date Entered Received By

13?Aug?15 MAJ

Referred To Reply Due

Howard 14?Sep?15

Facility or Person Complaint Filed Against

Name Customer/LicenselRegistration No.

Sea World Of Texas 

Address

10500 SEA WORLD DR

City State Zip Phone No

SAN ANTONIO TX 78251 2105233272

Complainant

Name Organization

Jared S. Goodman PETA

Address

NA

City State Zip Phone No./Email address

NA NA NA 323?210-


 

 

 

 

How was complaint received?
Email

 

Details of Complaint: SEE ATTACHED

 

Results: A focused inspection was conducted at Sea World of Texas to
address the complaint.

a) Orcas with rake marks indicate intra group aggression and or
unsafe enclosures

Orcas were brought up for close observation by USDA inspector at time
of inspection on 8/26/15. Several old rake marks were noted on
Kyuquot and Takara. These have been seen on past inspections. Medical
records reviewed this date did not indicate any recent injuries to the
animals. Trainers were questioned about compatibility of the Killer
Whales and said that there had been no serious aggression seen.
Enrichment for the Killer Whales has been increased and several new
items are being introduced to them.

There were no areas in or around the pool that would indicate the
enclosure is not safe for the animals.

b) Orcas with severe dental trauma, creating a severe vulnerability
to serious infection

All Killer Whales were brought up for close view of teeth during the
inspection. Several animals were observed to have some teeth which are
worn with the pulp cavity exposed. Veterinary treatment for this
condition involves opening the cavity enough to flush the cavity to
prevent infection. A tom cat catheter is used to flush the area with

 

1.5 hydrogen peroxide. This is done twice a day seven days a week as
part of routine husbandry. Veterinary records for all Killer Whales
were reviewed and dental issues appear to be properly addressed and
appropriately treated when they do occur.

C) Sea Lions prone to ocular disease confined to an enclosure
without shade and forced to look into the sun when begging for food
Sea Lion pool was recently renovated and now includes a roofed area
which extends over the edge of the pool. This area provides shade to
the animals during times of public feeding. At time of the inspection
(near mid?day), there were many shaded areas around the pool. There
were no ocular issues noted in any animal observed during the
inspection.

d) Death of the 3 week old Beluga Calf

There were 2 necropsy reports from 2 different pathologists for the
Beluga calf. Both had the same diagnosis of septicemia/premature birth
as cause of death. Records reviewed indicate that the calf was born at
least 3 weeks premature and had aspirated meconium during birth. The
calf failed to gain weight during its short life despite 24 hour
monitoring and many daily supplemental feedings. Records reviewed
indicate the calf did receive proper veterinary care.

**Other animals were crowded in back section of the pool while Beluga
and calf had larger pool: At times, the Beluga and calf were housed in
the main show pool. However, I was told they were rotated to other
pools so the other Belugas were not housed in back pool areas for long
periods of time. The back Beluga pool dimensions and water volumes
were reviewed and space calculated for 8 Beluga and were found to be
in compliance at time of the inspection.

 

Application packet provided? Yes 1:1
No El

 

INSPECTOR DATE
Pannill DVM VMO 27?Aug?15
DATE

Tami Howard, DVM, SACS 16-Sep?15