Austin Aquarium receives warning from USDA regarding animal handling ‘violation’

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a warning notice to the Austin Aquarium on July 3 related to violations for its handling of animals.

KXAN reached out to the Austin Aquarium for its response. We'll update this story when we receive one.

The USDA claims Austin Aquarium, LLC violated 9 C.F.R. § 2.131(c)(1), which says animals must be handled so there is minimal risk of harm, both to the animal and to people. There must also be “sufficient distance and/or barriers” between the animal and the viewing public to help assure the safety of both.

The USDA said Austin Aquarium, LLC, failed to meet the standards of that regulation.

In the notice, the USDA cited three incidents that occurred between June 2022 and May 2023, where the aquarium's animals injured adults or children.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) provided the Austin Aquarium with an official warning for the violations, “since violations of the regulations can have serious and costly impacts that are detrimental to the public interest.”

If evidence of future events is found, APHIS could pursue sanctions, including criminal prosecution.

As a disclaimer, the USDA said the warning should not be construed as a final agency action or as an adjudicated finding of a violation.