Aquarium of the Pacific Helps Nearly 500 Trafficked Animals After Recent Seizure By Wildlife Officials

August 27, 2026

August 27, 2026, Long Beach, California-The Aquarium of the Pacific provided immediate help by taking in nearly 500 animals, including endangered and near threatened species, after a large seizure by wildlife officials. Animals included marine fish, invertebrates, and sharks. The animals arrived at the Aquarium on June 19, 2026, and staff worked through the night to stabilize them, acclimate them in specialized behind-the-scenes aquarium systems, and to provide them with the highest standard of care without delay.

"Wildlife trafficking disrupts national and global ecosystems and puts animals on the path to extinction," said Jeff Flocken, president and CEO of the Aquarium of the Pacific. "We are proud to answer the call to help trafficked wildlife and are committed to providing immediate care and a sanctuary for all of those that we can help."

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Wildlife Confiscations Network (the Network), which includes the Aquarium of the Pacific, was notified by wildlife officials of a box truck filled with over two thousand animals, including fish, aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians that were confiscated. The Aquarium of the Pacific immediately responded, taking in sensitive fish and aquatic invertebrates involved in the seizure.

"We monitor all animals arriving to the Aquarium very closely in quarantine areas where we can provide them immediate care and prevent any potential spread of diseases, especially in an urgent situation like this," said Alyssa Tillman, assistant curator of fish and invertebrates. Some of the species that were rescued and brought to the Aquarium of the Pacific for care include brownbanded bamboo sharks (a near threatened species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List), ocellaris clownfish (one of the most popular pet trade fishes), and Banggai cardinalfish (an endangered species on the Red List).

Confiscated animals are typically unable to return to nature because law enforcement cannot determine where the animals were collected from, they may be unfit for survival in nature after living in human care, or there are other factors that prevent their release. Trafficked wildlife is often captured and transported in inhumane conditions, with many animals dying during their journey from the wild into the hands of a buyer. Wildlife trafficking has become one of the largest illegal trades, growing rapidly online and becoming pervasive, including buyers and sellers in the United States.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the founding organizations in the Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network (SCWCN), a partnership that launched in 2023 between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and animal care partners in the region. The Aquarium is also on the vetting committee as part of the process of adding new organizations to the SCWCN, which provides a coordinated system to help ensure the care and welfare of confiscated wildlife. This network operates under the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, which is a national program from AZA. Since it joined the network, the Aquarium of the Pacific has helped more than 3,300 trafficked animals, including axolotls, corals, reptiles, and fish. In 2026, the Aquarium received grant funding for renovations and upgrades to existing holding and construction of new holding systems to expand its capacity to take in confiscated animals. This funding was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to AZA to execute the American Rescue Plan Act funding. You can support the Aquarium's ongoing and critical work in helping confiscated wildlife by giving to the Rescue and Recovery Fund.

There are actions the public can take to avoid wildlife trafficking of exotic pets. Research the protected status of the species and make your purchase through a reputable vendor. If the vendor cannot provide proof of where the animal came from, refrain from purchasing it. If you suspect that someone is trafficking wildlife, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tip line online or by calling 1-844-FWS-TIPS.