US animal rights organization calls for investigation into West Des Moines Zoo

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – The Humane Society of the United States is raising new concerns about a West Des Moines zoo after a zookeeper was injured on the job.

According to the Blue Zoo Aquarium, a bamboo shark bit a zookeeper on the hand on Monday. Paramedics treated the victim and the keeper was released without stitches, a zoo spokesman said. The shark was euthanized.

However, this is not the first animal death at the facility since it opened two months ago.

An inspection report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website dated May 31, 2024, describes the death of a parakeet that was crushed after it was stepped on by a child leaving an interactive exhibit. The reported incident occurred on May 22, shortly after the facility opened. The inspector gave the facility until June 6 to take steps to correct the problem and protect the birds by “installing barriers between the birds and the general public to ensure the safety of the animals.”

Preston Moore, director of the Human Society of the US in Iowa, is calling for the facility to be closed.

“We are calling on the City of West Des Moines to take steps to close this business and prevent any more of this type from opening,” Moore said. “We are also calling on the West Des Moines Police Department to open an investigation into animal neglect and abuse based on the reports we are hearing that animals at this facility are not receiving the care they need and are being trampled to death.”

In a written response to questions, a Blue Zoo Aquarium spokesperson said the shark was the first animal to be euthanized at the West Des Moines location. However, they did not respond when asked how many animals had died since opening in May.

“We understand the concern, but this is an isolated incident that we are addressing. We are implementing procedures and policies to ensure this does not happen in the future,” the spokesperson wrote.

As WHO 13 previously reported, the Blue Zoo Aquarium does not have AZA accreditation, a label that only 10 percent of zoos nationwide have. The company has several locations across the United States and is owned by an investor group under the name Tiger Family Entertainment, registered in Eagle, Idaho.