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Middle school banned from aquarium
Middle school banned from aquarium
Last Update: 04/13/2007 6:39:23 PM
By: Todd Dukart
John Adams Middle School won’t be allowed to take field trips to the Albuquerque Aquarium for at least two years after a pair of students allegedly vandalized four of its expensive tanks. The two 13-year-olds are accused of taking a penknife into the building and scratching the tanks, including the aquarium’s popular - and expensive - shark tank.
“This window is made of acrylic. It is eight inches thick and it cost about a million bucks,” said aquarium manager Holly Casman. Estimates on repairs for those scratches are reaching $5,000. But the $30,000 jellyfish tank is so badly damaged it will likely have to be replaced. Casman was angry, and said she’s probably not alone. “I think it makes most people angry when they hear about something like this,” she said. “People love the aquarium and it’s like being kicked in the gut when you get something like that.”
Security officers say the boys probably damaged bathrooms and stole from the aquarium gift store. While their school is banned from the Albuquerque Biopark, Casman said the aquarium is going to go after the boys’ parents to pay for the damage.
Middle school banned from aquarium
Last Update: 04/13/2007 6:39:23 PM
By: Todd Dukart
John Adams Middle School won’t be allowed to take field trips to the Albuquerque Aquarium for at least two years after a pair of students allegedly vandalized four of its expensive tanks. The two 13-year-olds are accused of taking a penknife into the building and scratching the tanks, including the aquarium’s popular - and expensive - shark tank.
“This window is made of acrylic. It is eight inches thick and it cost about a million bucks,” said aquarium manager Holly Casman. Estimates on repairs for those scratches are reaching $5,000. But the $30,000 jellyfish tank is so badly damaged it will likely have to be replaced. Casman was angry, and said she’s probably not alone. “I think it makes most people angry when they hear about something like this,” she said. “People love the aquarium and it’s like being kicked in the gut when you get something like that.”
Security officers say the boys probably damaged bathrooms and stole from the aquarium gift store. While their school is banned from the Albuquerque Biopark, Casman said the aquarium is going to go after the boys’ parents to pay for the damage.