LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — As the embattled aquarium attraction faces continuous allegations of animal mistreatment and deaths, the founder and CEO of SeaQuest announced he is stepping down.
13 Investigates has been exposing the allegations of mistreated animals and employee and customer injuries for nearly a decade.
In a short video to employees (shared with 13 Investigates by ABC10 in Sacramento), Vince Covino announced he'll be leaving SeaQuest for a new job at another, unnamed company.
In the video, Covino says, "I’ve loved connecting animals and humans — millions of times, upon millions. My next calling is to connect humans and humans. And so that’s the role I’m getting into."
SeaQuest has not responded to our request for comment on Covino's exit.
Sources tell 13 Investigates he'll be replaced by Aaron Neilson, SeaQuest's current chief financial officer.
Covino said in the video to employees, "I have so much love and have been through so many difficult things as we’ve had our fair share of challenges. Some of those I’ve brought on myself just through mistakes but as you know always doing my best. I’m thrilled with the direction this company is moving going forward. I have no doubt in the abilities of Aaron. I’ve never worked with a more effective and empathetic executive in my life. I’m thrilled to have him as our CEO and I believe he will do a better job than I have done."
In response to the current CFO being named as Covino's replacement, PETA Foundation General Counsel Brittany Peet released a statement:
"Good riddance to Vince Covino, whose sleazy petting zoos are responsible for scores of animals’ deaths, but moving the money man into the top spot shows that SeaQuest will keep prioritizing profits over animal protection. Since SeaQuest locations in Colorado, Connecticut, and Georgia closed down under pressure from PETA and the public, the chain needs to read the writing on the wall, shut its doors, and send the animals to reputable facilities."
PETA's ongoing campaign against SeaQuest "has included numerous complaints filed with federal and state authorities regarding many injuries to customers and egregious animal welfare issues, including animals who drowned, were burned, were intentionally deprived of food, or were stomped or crushed to death by customers, among other horrors. SeaQuest Littleton in Colorado shut down in February 2024, and SeaQuest Trumbull in Connecticut and SeaQuest Stonecrest in Georgia both shut down in 2023. PETA also helped prevent SeaQuest from opening locations in Florida, New York, and North Dakota."
SeaQuest Las Vegas is located in the Boulevard Mall. 13 Investigates has been exposing concerns about the attraction for seven years with our most recent report airing in February as part of a national collaboration with ABC News.
In March, the Humane Society of the United States called on Clark County commissioners to stop wild animal interactions at SeaQuest. No action has been taken and the attraction remains open.
HSUS Director of Captive Wildlife Laura Hagen released the following statement on Wednesday:
“We are hopeful that the news of Vince Covino stepping down as CEO of SeaQuest marks the beginning of the the end of this deplorable, cruel business that abuses animals day after day in seven states.
"SeaQuest needs to do far more than replace its current CEO to improve conditions for the many animals exploited at its pathetic indoor exotic animal petting zoos. The company denies countless animals their most basic needs including access to fresh air and natural sunlight, proper nutrition and medical care, and the freedom to not be handled by the public and bombarded by loud noises and chaos all day long.
"Warehousing wild animals in dark corners of shopping malls to force them into public encounters must end. For the well-being of these animals and the safety of the public, this must be the first step in dismantling this horrific business that inflicts so much suffering on animals and shuttering its doors for good.”
