People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is taking issue with the sound levels at a recent event at the Georgia Aquarium.
Dan Mathews, senior vice president of PETA, filed a formal complaint with the aquarium Thursday. In a letter to Georgia Aquarium President David Kimmel, Mathews expressed concern that the music volume in the aquarium's Oceans Ballroom and lobby “was such that it was impossible for guests to easily communicate with each other and employees without shouting” during an Atlanta Pride kickoff event last week.
Scott Higley, vice president of marketing and communications for the aquarium, said any suggestions that the facility's actions were irresponsible are “baseless.”
“Based on the current scientific knowledge of the hearing threshold of marine animals, we set a level for ourselves and stay within that level and aggressively monitor it,” Higley said. “We had an in-house vendor to monitor the sound and they are extremely well-versed in our rigorous guidelines.”
Mathews’ complaint alleged one beluga whale was “twisting and angrily snapping at a seal,” and that the Asian small-clawed otters in the Amazon River exhibit -- where no speakers were set up, according to Higley -- were “cowering together on a platform” because of the sound.
The grievance also cites three aquarium employees by their first names who agreed on the night of the event that the animals were bothered by the sound.
Mathews has requested the aquarium “prohibit all but soft, ambient or classical music without percussion” at the facility.
Higley said there are “some inconsistencies” about the alleged staff comments and that if there had been a problem with any animals, “we’d make some immediate changes.”
“Our staff dedicates their lives to caring for these animals,” Higley said.
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