East Idaho Aquarium Commitment to Animal Care

At the East Idaho Aquarium, we take every allegation and concern about animal welfare seriously. Our mission has always been to provide safe, enriching environments for the animals in our care while helping our community learn and connect with the natural world. Some of the claims made about our facility reference challenges from our earliest years, when we were still growing rapidly and learning through experience. Others are simply misunderstandings or misrepresentations. This document addresses each allegation directly, offering context, clarification, and most importantly, proof of the changes and improvements we’ve made. While we can’t change the past, we are proud of the systems and standards we have in place today, which reflect our commitment to the highest level of care.

Allegation: Public records show more than 2,000 animals died at East Idaho Aquarium in three years.

Response: While the number may sound alarming without context, those records reflect a very different time in the aquarium’s history. Between 2019–2022, we were in a period of rapid growth, bringing in large numbers of new animals to establish and expand our exhibits. During that stage, most losses occurred shortly after arrival, which is common across aquariums, pet stores, and aquaculture facilities. Transport stress, genetic weaknesses, and difficulty acclimating are often beyond human control, especially for fish, which naturally produce large numbers of offspring with the expectation that only a small percentage survive.

These deaths were never the result of neglect or mistreatment. Each loss was taken seriously and felt deeply by our staff, who worked diligently to provide the best care possible. The majority of mortalities happened during the acclimation stage, not after animals had settled into their habitats.

What matters most is that this pattern did not continue. As the aquarium matured, we invested in stronger systems, refined our care protocols, and expanded staff expertise. Mortality rates have dropped significantly, and today our survival rates are higher than ever. Animals now thrive in stable, well-established environments, and the early challenges of our growth years no longer reflect how we operate.

It’s also important to note that even today, fish losses occur in every aquarium. The difference is that, unlike in the wild, where most deaths go unrecorded, every single one is documented and reported in captivity. That level of transparency makes the numbers seem more dramatic than the reality behind them.

Allegation: Baby birds fell from nests and weren’t given lifesaving care.

Response: Caring for very young parakeets and cockatiels requires specialized knowledge that, at the time, we simply didn’t have. When chicks fell from nests, we initially believed the parent birds would care for them, as is natural in the wild. However, we quickly realized that parakeets will sometimes reject or push out weak offspring. Once we recognized this was an issue, we took immediate action to prevent further problems. Nest boxes were removed, and eggs were collected so that reproduction no longer occurred in the exhibits. This proactive change eliminated the risk of young chicks being harmed, ensuring the welfare of the adult birds while preventing a situation we were not equipped to manage.

Allegation: Parakeets and cockatiels were only fed when guests paid for feeding.

Response: This claim is simply untrue. The birds at the aquarium follow a strict, veterinarian-approved diet that is provided daily. Guests are offered the chance to hand-feed them as part of an interactive experience, but this is only one part of their feeding schedule. At the end of each day, staff distribute any remaining feed throughout the enclosure in cups and bowls so that all birds can eat freely, away from the public. In addition, they are given fresh fruits and vegetables nightly to ensure a balanced diet. Birds that prefer not to eat from guests always have access to food later, and no animal is ever dependent on visitors for its meals. It is important to note that the individual making this claim did not work evening shifts, when the husbandry team provided the rest of the animals’ daily meals. As a result, they never observed the full routine and were missing important context.

Allegation: The facility ignored a vet’s advice to test new birds for psittacosis.

Response: This allegation is not accurate. All of our birds have been tested for psittacosis, either directly through our veterinarian or through other licensed veterinarians, before they arrived at the aquarium. For example, our cockatiels were tested by a veterinarian in Pocatello prior to joining our collection. We take veterinary guidance very seriously and have never ignored the instructions of our attending vet, Dr. Seda. If she recommends a procedure or test, we follow it without hesitation. Animal health and public safety remain top priorities, and proper veterinary care is always part of that commitment.

Allegation: An employee allegedly abused a toucan, and management defended them.

Response: We want to be clear: abuse of any animal is never tolerated at the aquarium. The specific claim that a toucan was struck with a vacuum hose is unsubstantiated and does not reflect our values or practices. As management, we would never condone such behavior, and if we ever witnessed it, immediate action would be taken. In fact, we don’t even allow guests or staff to speak harshly to our birds; we work hard to ensure a positive, respectful environment for all animals in our care. When this claim was raised, we investigated and spoke directly with the staff member named in the allegation, who denied any wrongdoing. Regardless, our position is firm: the well-being of the animals comes first, and abuse of any kind is unacceptable.

Allegation: Chicks were placed in a freezer to die.

Response: This claim twists the truth. No live chicks were ever put in a freezer. What actually happened was that, in the aquarium’s early days, parakeets began breeding unexpectedly. Without the expertise or resources to hand-raise them, some chicks sadly did not survive. After they had already passed away, their tiny bodies were placed in the freezer, not as cruelty, but as a responsible and sanitary way to handle remains until proper disposal. Once we recognized the challenges of unexpected breeding, we immediately adjusted by removing nest boxes and collecting eggs before they could hatch. This ensures that no chicks are born into circumstances we can’t properly support, while also keeping the adult birds safe and healthy.

Allegation: Multiple stingray die-offs and three baby sharks died within weeks.

Response: The aquarium takes every loss seriously, and these unfortunate events reflect both learning moments and extraordinary circumstances. One stingray die-off occurred due to an undetected parasite the rays likely carried when they arrived, something we could not have known despite careful screening. After that, we implemented routine stool testing for all incoming rays to prevent future occurrences. Another stingray loss happened during a power outage when life-support pumps failed overnight. In response, we installed a computerized monitoring system that tracks oxygen, temperature, and other vital parameters, alerting staff immediately if something goes wrong.

The baby sharks were an unexpected surprise. Blacktip reef sharks rarely breed successfully in captivity, and we were not initially equipped for the pups. As soon as they were born, we moved them to a suitable pool to give them the best chance at survival. Unfortunately, one was injured during birth, another jumped and sustained fatal gill damage, and a third passed away unexpectedly. The fourth shark thrived and was later relocated safely to the Boise Aquarium.

These incidents prompted immediate changes: enhanced health screening, upgraded monitoring systems, and dedicated facilities for young sharks. While the losses were deeply unfortunate, they were not due to neglect, and the lessons learned have made current operations far safer for all aquatic animals.

Allegation: Poor equipment led to unhealthy water conditions.

Response: In the early days, we did face challenges when equipment didn’t perform the way it should. For example, during a power outage, pumps failed to restart, which sadly impacted some animals. Since then, we’ve invested heavily in modern technology to make sure it never happens again. Today, our tanks are equipped with advanced monitoring systems that constantly track oxygen levels, temperature, and water quality. If anything shifts even slightly out of range, staff are alerted instantly on their phones so immediate action can be taken. We’ve also added backup systems to keep life-support equipment running smoothly. These upgrades ensure stable, healthy water conditions and safe habitats for all of our animals.

Allegation: Animals were kept in unsafe or crowded enclosures.

Response: The animals in our care are never housed in unsafe or overcrowded spaces. All of our enclosures are designed to meet or exceed USDA and AZA standards, and we regularly review them to ensure the animals’ needs are being met. For example, our nurse shark, Joy, is sometimes thought to be “too big” for her exhibit simply because she prefers to rest on the bottom. But this is completely natural behavior for nurse sharks, which are nocturnal and spend much of their time laying still rather than swimming constantly.

In fact, Joy has become a guest favorite because of her calm personality. She used to tuck herself into small hiding spots, and many visitors didn’t realize she was there for years until she grew too big for those nooks and crannies. Now, she can usually be seen relaxing in the open, but she still shows her playful side during weekly hand feedings. Far from being stressed or confined, she’s thriving in her space.

Along with Joy, all of our animals benefit from careful habitat design, species-appropriate enrichment, and regular rotations to minimize stress. Their health and welfare are always the top priority, and we are proud that our enclosures provide safe, engaging environments where they can live and be well cared for.

Allegation: Visitors stepped on, sat on, or crushed birds.

Response: It’s true that in the very beginning, we didn’t have enough structure in place to fully protect the birds during guest encounters. That lack of strict systems led to some of the concerns raised, and it’s something we take accountability for. But that’s not how things are run anymore. Protecting our birds is one of our top priorities, and we’ve put clear rules and safeguards in place to keep them safe.

Guests are instructed to shuffle their feet, move slowly, and stay seated before food is brought out so the birds can come to them, rather than risk being stepped on. A double-door entry system now prevents bird escapes, and staff carefully guide guests in and out of the space to avoid any accidents.

Children and adults alike are reminded not to kick or move suddenly, and our employees receive special training so they can model safe behavior and coach visitors inside the habitat. While accidents with small birds can never be 100% eliminated, these changes have drastically reduced the risk and created a much safer, more enjoyable experience for both the birds and our guests.

Allegation: Kristopher Lasswell submitted 56 allegations with photos/videos and claims he was terminated.

Response: We want to be clear, raising animal care concerns has always been encouraged here. Anytime staff members see something that might need attention, they are urged to speak up, and we work with our veterinarian or other professionals to evaluate and respond. Concerns are not brushed aside; they are part of how we improve.

Kristopher’s departure was not related to raising concerns about animals. The truth is, it was simply not a cultural fit. He cared for the animals, and we recognized that, but the working relationship wasn’t aligning with the team culture we were trying to build. His leaving was not hostile, and there was no animosity; we wanted him to be able to move on in a way that worked better for him and his family.

During his time here, Kristopher saw some of the challenges that came with our early growth years. In the years following, the aquarium has continued to evolve and implement major improvements that he has not been part of. Today, our accountability systems are stronger than ever: we have independent veterinary oversight, structured staff training, and clear channels for reporting and acting on concerns. Issues are not just noted, they’re addressed, tracked, and used to strengthen our standards. We are committed to a culture where caring for animals is always the top priority.

Allegation: Founder allegedly said, “…let them do whatever they want to the animals because we can always buy more.”

Response: This statement was not made by the founder. It came from another individual during a meeting before the aquarium even opened. It was inappropriate and shocking, and the moment it was said, leadership spoke up immediately and made it clear that this is not, and will never be, how our aquarium operates. In fact, several people present at that meeting were so disturbed by the comment that they chose not to move forward with the organization.

Animal welfare has always been at the core of what we do. To suggest that animals could be treated as disposable goes against everything we stand for. Visitor interactions today are carefully designed and always supervised, following AZA guidelines to ensure they are enriching for the animals and safe for the guests.

Our mission has never changed: to provide the highest possible standard of care and to help visitors connect with these incredible creatures in ways that foster respect, education, and protection.

Animal care is not static; it requires constant growth, reflection, and improvement. The concerns raised here, whether based on fact or misunderstanding, have pushed us to strengthen our practices and ensure that our animals thrive. Today, the East Idaho Aquarium operates with more advanced systems, stronger veterinary partnerships, and a deeper commitment to accountability than ever before. Our animals are thriving, our staff is dedicated, and our visitors can feel confident that the creatures they meet are cared for with respect and compassion. Allegations may linger, but the reality is clear: we’ve grown, we’ve improved, and we remain devoted to doing what’s right for the animals entrusted to us.