Mother Raises Concerns After Son’s Bruising Encounter with Octopus at San Antonio Aquarium

Mother of Boy Grabbed by Octopus Raises Concerns Over Aquarium Safety

San Antonio, TX — A Texas mother is sounding the alarm after a harrowing encounter between her 6-year-old son and a Giant Pacific Octopus at the San Antonio Aquarium left visible bruises on the child’s arm. The incident, which occurred on July 14, has since gone viral on TikTok, igniting a heated debate about safety protocols in public aquariums.

Britney Taryn, the boy’s mother, shared her experience in a TikTok video that has garnered over 3 million views. She explained that her son, Leo, has been a regular visitor to the aquarium for over four years and has interacted with the same octopus, named Cthulhu, many times. “They’re allowed to touch them, and it’s welcomed,” Taryn stated, recalling previous gentle interactions.

However, during their latest visit, Taryn noticed a change in Cthulhu’s behavior. “Mom, it’s not letting me go,” Leo reportedly exclaimed as the octopus tightened its grip on his arm. Taryn described the moment as alarming, recalling how the octopus began to rise out of the tank, prompting panic. “We start freaking out because that octopus is now bigger than my 6-year-old,” she said.

In her video, Taryn displayed the bruises left on Leo’s arm, emphasizing the severity of the situation. “We thought it was a sweet animal bond… until it left bruises,” she lamented.

Aquarium’s Response

In response to the viral video, the San Antonio Aquarium issued a statement claiming that Taryn had leaned her child over the exhibit barrier, allowing him to reach into the habitat without staff supervision. The aquarium asserted that Leo remained calm throughout the incident and that medical assistance was offered but declined.

“The octopus displayed typical, curious behavior,” the statement read, emphasizing that the animal was not aggressive. The aquarium also noted that an incident report had been completed and signed by Taryn.

Mother Disputes Claims

Taryn vehemently disputed the aquarium’s account, labeling it “false” and “defamatory.” She claimed she was never offered medical help nor asked to sign any report, and insisted that multiple adults present could corroborate her version of events.

“The San Antonio Aquarium’s response is not only false; it is defamatory and appears to be a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the serious issues at hand,” she stated. Taryn expressed concern over the lack of supervision during interactions with the octopus, arguing that the only signage pertains to feeding instructions, not safety protocols.

Expert Opinions

Following the incident, Taryn consulted experts who suggested that Cthulhu’s behavior might be indicative of senescence, a natural decline that occurs near the end of an octopus’s life. She raised concerns that the aquarium’s setup and interaction policies do not align with the standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Community Reaction

The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many users expressing outrage over the aquarium’s handling of the situation. As the story continues to unfold, both Taryn and the San Antonio Aquarium are under scrutiny, raising important questions about safety and animal welfare in public spaces.

As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear: the safety of young visitors and the ethical treatment of animals in captivity must be prioritized to prevent future incidents.