A six-year-old boy had a troubling experience at an interactive exhibit at the San Antonio Aquarium, according to his mother. Britney Tallinn shared her concerns after her son, Leo, was attacked by an octopus during their visit on July 14.
She described how the octopus latched onto Leo’s arm, causing what she referred to as a painful sucking bruise. “The octopus came out on the glass. My friend and I were really confused and started yelling for help since there were no staff around,” Tallinn recounted in an interview.
When an employee finally arrived, they remarked on the octopus’s playful demeanor but seemed unable to detach it. It took two additional employees to finally remove the slippery tentacle from Leo’s arm.
According to Tallinn, the entire process lasted about five minutes with three staff members working to free him. Leo ended up with a noticeable deep purple bruise from the suction, which extended from his wrist up to his armpit.
Previously, Tallinn mentioned that staff typically supervise interactions at the Touch Tanks, but that wasn’t the case during this visit. Consequently, she filed a complaint with the USDA over animal welfare, expressing her concern about the incident and the subsequent treatment by the employees.
On TikTok, she shared a video showing another employee at the aquarium struggling with an octopus that clung to their arm. In that video, workers highlighted the octopus’s curiosity and mentioned its potentially toxic beak.
“If it wanted to, it could definitely bite me,” the employee explained, adding that the octopus is generally friendly toward people.
The aquarium’s website features an “animal encounter” section, promoting hands-on experiences with various animals, including octopuses. However, armor and careful interaction are suggested, encouraging minimal contact.
Tallinn emphasized that she has no desire to harm the octopus but is concerned for her children’s safety. “I’m really worried that something worse might happen… it’s not just about kids; it could happen to adults, too,” she shared.
She expressed a wish for the octopus to be free from harm, aiming for a situation that preserves both its safety and the wellbeing of visitors. “I hope it can live a peaceful life,” she concluded.
The San Antonio Aquarium has not yet commented on the situation.
