Clear animal abuse/exploitation at Houston Aquarium and Animal adventure

The moment I walked in I was totally overcome with sadness for these poor creatures. This is animal exploitation for profit. Not education, not conservation. Simply profit. Walking around all the available exhibits I noticed a few things. First and foremost there was almost zero supervision for the majority of the exhibits. Anyone could walk to any of the fish tanks, reptile exhibits, mammals, and birds and do whatever they pleased. Reptiles and marine life kept in absolutely abhorrent conditions (multiple bearded dragons in a tiny enclosure, we even witness a couple of them fighting) and Axotols kept in a filthy lukewarm aquarium. These things do not require an advanced knowledge of husbandry (although a facility that profits off of housing them should obviously know how to care for them properly). Every animal that I saw was miserable and stressed to the absolute maximum. In addition, the aviary was a death trap for those poor tiny birds. People are free to run about a huge outdoor enclosure with one “keeper” trying to manage everything. I can promise you birds getting stomped (even accidentally) in that room is a frequent occurrence. I could go on for days because I honestly had an issue with every single exhibit except perhaps the goats. This place does not care about animal welfare at all. Money is king at this awful place, and that’s obvious by the “pay to play” aspect of every single exhibit. Please please please do not give these people your money. Go to the Houston zoo or an actual accredited establishment. The valuable lesson that I learned today is not everything is meant to be handled and displayed openly in this manner. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about these poor tortured animals since I left. I am totally ashamed that I spent even a dime here. Shame on the owners, shame on anyone who funds this hideously abusive place, and I can promise you a severe accident in imminent.