Sworn Declarations Belie USDA Claims About Animal Care at Vallejo Amusement Park

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VALLEJO, Calif. - Two former Six Flags Marine World employees today revealed various incidents of animal abuse that they witnessed while working at the Vallejo, California amusement park. The ex-employees have signed sworn affidavits attesting to animal beatings, neglect, suffering and terror caused by inadequate veterinary care, improper housing, mishandling by untrained and unqualified personnel, and exposure to noise from thrill rides and growing crowds at the park. The affidavits, are considered to be legal evidence, were released today at a press conference organized by the California-based In Defense of Animals (IDA).

"During my tenure at Marine World, I witnessed [Marine World personnel] hit animals so hard as to cause welts and bruises on them. . . . The animals became terrified of their handlers. This made it difficult for people like me who would not beat them to walk the animals. The animals were so terrified, they would not cooperate. They weren't properly trained and were just afraid of getting beaten," stated the sworn affidavit of Melissa Hindman, who was a seasonal keeper in the Land Animals Keeping Department from April - October 1999 and March - September 2000.

In his sworn statement, Aaron Wilson, an apprentice animal trainer in the same department from March of 1998 until April 2000, wrote, "During my tenure at Six Flags Marine World, I witnessed the mistreatment of the animal collection at the park and what I believe to be negligent conduct by park officials. . . .It appeared to me that Six Flags Marine World put money over animal welfare. In my opinion, no responsible animal facility would have treated animals in this manner."

The incidents that Ms. Hindman and Mr. Wilson attest to include the following:

• Animal Beatings - Camels, a reindeer, and a miniature donkey were beaten in some cases until bloody, kicked and manhandled to the point that the animals became "absolutely terrified" of their handlers. The abuse also included, in at least one instance, the use of a stun gun and stud chain to control a miniature donkey.
• Animal Deaths - At least 17 animals, including kangaroos, wallabies and sheep, died in just three years. The affidavits describe stress, trauma, infections, abscesses, inadequate nutrition and care.
• Stress caused by rides – Kangaroos housed next to a roller coaster hurled themselves into the fence until they were bloody every time the ride went off. Kangaroos, wallabies, sheep and potbellied pigs were shoved off to remote areas of the park to make room for the rides and housed in dilapidated, too-small enclosures where they were neglected. Kangaroos and wallabies were forced to be on public display, with no possibility of escape from noise and crowds.
• Starving Animals - Sheep were fed a diet so inadequate as to cause emaciation. Kangaroos and wallabies developed calcified stones in the urinary tract. One kangaroo had so many holes in his urinary from multiple surgeries that when he urinated "it was like a little sprinkler." One wallaby died after suffering from an enlarged esophagus that prevented her from keeping food down.
• Veterinary Negligence - Sheep, kangaroos and wallabies were not properly treated for recurrent infections and abscesses. Diagnostic tests were not performed. When animals died, causes of death were frequently not determined, thus need for quarantine to protect surviving animals or public was not ascertained. Equipment for large animal veterinary practice, such as x-ray machines and chutes for restraining giraffes and llamas for medical treatment, was not available.
• Inadequate USDA inspections - Inspections were guided by park management. Inspectors never closely examined equipment, animals, enclosures or spoke to non-management personnel.

The animal suffering witnessed by these employees was severe. An uncastrated camel named Miles would for years hurl himself against the fence during his rut period in response to perceived threats, including the growing crowds. Eventually his shoulder became severely arthritic. His condition was allowed to deteriorate to the point where he could not stand. It sometimes took 30-45 minutes for the keepers to get him up to walk him, and then Miles would sometimes stumble and slam into the ground. Another animal, a kangaroo, was left to suffer from a deteriorating jaw that prevented him from eating. Of this kangaroo, Ms. Hindman attests, "Toward the end, another employee and I just sat with Murray and cried because he was suffering so profoundly and there was nothing we could do." Their repeated calls to have this kangaroo euthanized were ignored for at least a month.

"The shocking abuse, bloody beatings and gross negligence exposed by these former Marine World employees is simply intolerable. It is absolutely incredible that Six Flags has allowed this outrageous mistreatment of animals to take place," said Elliot Katz, DVM, president of In Defense of Animals.

"The incidents witnessed by these employees are clear violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act and the California anti-cruelty statutes," Katz continued. "We will be submitting this evidence to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Solano County District Attorney's Office, and other oversight entities. We demand that Marine World be held accountable for the shocking and illegal animal cruelty documented in these sworn affidavits."

Katz expressed gratitude toward these whistleblowers for coming forward. He also blasted the USDA, which claimed in an January 22, 2001 letter that Marine Worlds' veterinary care was "excellent" and there was "no evidence" of "any negative impact on the well-being of the animals" caused by the rides.

"The sworn testimony of these employees eviscerates the USDA’s so-called findings," said Katz. "These affidavits indicate that the USDA findings are either a deliberate attempt to whitewash serious problems at Marine World or an indication of gross incompetence at this federal agency."

Katz called for the immediate termination of those individuals responsible for animal beatings and negligence at Marine World, and for a congressional investigation of the USDA’s actions. He also demanded the removal of all animals experiencing stress from the rides, stating, "Marine World cannot continue to be both an amusement park and a facility that exhibits animals. The stress of the noise, crowds and frenzied theme park atmosphere is literally injuring and killing Marine World's animals."

The press conference was co-sponsored by the Animal Protection Institute of Sacramento, CA, and the Pacifica-based Observe Respect and Compassion for Animals.

More about IDA's Marine Mammal Campaign