For immediate release:
April 29, 2021
Contact:
David Pearl 202-483-7382
Houston – Since convicted wildlife traders Ammon Covino and Chris Konk appear to be heavily involved in the opening of an interactive aquarium and animal sanctuary in Houston, PETA sent a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) this morning stating that the business is illegal exhibited. animals for the public, including through hands-on meetings with black and white lemurs and other endangered wildlife –without a federal exhibitor license…
It is also revealed that Covino, who is banned from holding a USDA exhibitor’s license due to his criminal record, continues to engage in similar ventures in Austin and San Antonio, using his wife’s name for official paperwork – the same actions that led him sent back to prison in 2016 for parole violations related to his previous conviction. PETA is urging the USDA not only to deny permits for the interactive aquarium in Houston, but also to revoke permits for facilities in Austin and San Antonio.
“This criminal must not be allowed to create another petty zoo that falsifies documents and exploits animals,” says Michelle Sinnott, PETA’s deputy director and captive animal law enforcement adviser. PETA is urging the USDA to revoke licenses for every business in which it is involved.
The infamous Covinos have faced scrutiny from the public, authorities, visitors, and employees across the country, including in connection with the following incidents in Texas:
- Police discovered last March that the San Antonio Aquarium was operating in violation of the state’s closure order and ordered the manager to close the facility immediately. An hour later, the police discovered that the aquarium was still operational and physically removed visitors and non-essential staff from the building.
- In 2019, the parents of a 10-year-old girl who was allegedly bitten by a lemur sued the Austin Aquarium, and the USDA cited that the company had not consulted with a treating veterinarian to determine the cause of the ear problem. kangaroos appear before treatment.
- In 2018, the USDA found that half lemurs used in public meetings at the San Antonio Aquarium were bitten or scratched by members of the public.
PETA – whose motto is partly that “animals are not ours to be used for entertainment” – opposes arrogance, a worldview focused on human excellence. For more information please visit PETA.org or subscribe to the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram…