HOUSTON – An animal-activist group plans to move forward with a lawsuit against Houston’s Downtown Aquarium, alleging the white tiger exhibit harms and harasses an endangered species.

“The behind-the-scenes cages are nothing more than about a 10-by-10 concrete cell,” said Cheryl Conley, who is not a member of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, but has joined the group's legal effort to have the four tigers moved to a sanctuary.

The Downtown Aquarium, owned by Landry’s, Inc., hosts about 1 million visitors annually at the 6-acre property.

The same four tigers have lived at the Downtown Aquarium since 2004.

“Those people get millions of dollars to fight animal abuse,” said Jim Prappas, the director of animal operations for Landry’s, Inc.

Prappas invited Channel 2 Investigates to tour the behind-the-scenes area where the tigers are housed, when they’re not in the publicly facing exhibit enclosure.

Conley, who has taken part in a handful of protests in front of the aquarium, said the tigers have been denied a life outdoors.

“These are wild animals,” Conley said. “They need to be able to feel the ground under their feet. They need to be able to climb. They need to be able to bask in the sun. They have none of that.”

Prappas said the tigers are exposed to sunlight, they receive excellent care, and all enclosures were designed by the industry’s top professionals.

The legal notice to Landry’s claims that only two tiger exhibits accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums lack outdoor facilities. Both are owned by Landry’s. The point was confirmed by Channel 2 Investigates. The other enclosure without an outdoor element is in Denver.

Prappas said plans already are underway to add an outdoor portion to the tiger exhibit in Houston.

“We’ve already started the design work,” Prappas said. “We’ve been in touch with experts and professionals. We’re looking at what space we have available.”

Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is currently accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The Zoological Association of America, and has passed USDA animal inspections consistently since it opened.

“I’m sure we’re going to have to file (a) suit,” Conley said.

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