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The Blue Zoo Des Moines announced that it is shutting down this month, just two years after opening. The aquarium has faced controversy, as it recorded the state's first shark attack
Averee Nelson16:26 ET, 14 May 2026Updated 08:27 ET, 15 May 2026
When you think of the landlocked state of Iowa, it may seem illogical that a state of sweeping corn fields could have recorded a shark attack — but it actually happened.
How did a shark attack happen in Iowa? While Iowa does have bodies of water, the shark attack occurred at Blue Zoo Des Moines, which features an interactive aquarium facility at the Jordan Creek Town Center.
Drawing national attention in 2024, an employee at Blue Zoo was bitten by a shark, and the shark had to be euthanized in order to release its teeth from the employee’s hand. Now, the West Des Moines facility has announced it’s closing, almost two years after opening.
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Blue Zoo opened its nearly 20,000-square-foot facility on May 21, 2024, as part of a for-profit aquarium chain. The hands-on, interactive aquarium features both saltwater and freshwater exhibits and allows children and families to touch and feed stingrays and reptiles, feed birds, view a variety of sharks, among other educational experiences, according to its website.
The zoo faced controversy when an 18-inch bamboo shark was euthanized after biting an employee’s hand while the staff was transporting it. The aquarium had described the citation as a medical emergency, as reported by the Des Moines Register.
Following the shark attack, Iowa lawmaker Representative Ray "Bubba" Sorensen (R-Greenfield) introduced a bill that sought to add sharks to Iowa’s list of dangerous and wild animals. The bill — which failed to advance — would ban anyone from allowing the public to have contact with a dangerous wild animal or allow the animal to escape. Any violation of the bill could result in a charge of aggravated misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison.
Why is the Blue Zoo in Iowa closing?
The aquarium cited a “substantial increase in rent” as the reason for its decision to close, according to a Facebook post.In another post, the aquarium said, "This was an incredibly difficult decision." It's set to close its doors on Memorial Day, May 25.
Continuing, the post said, "Our focus now is on ensuring our animals continue to receive exceptional care and that our team and guests are supported through this transition."
“Our animals are — and always will be — our top priority during this transition,” Blue Zoo responded to one comment. “Behind the scenes, our animal care team is working very carefully to ensure every animal goes to a safe, loving, and well-qualified home.”
Some of the animals will be transferred to other Blue Zoo locations, and others will be moved to "trusted zoos, aquariums, and professional animal care facilities.”
Are there shark attacks in landlocked states?
This may come as a shock, but other landlocked states, where you would imagine you're safe from sharks, have recorded shark attacks.In 2021, Colorado Governor Jared Polis shocked people with a shark fact on X, when he posted that "Colorado is tied for state with the least shark attacks!"
If you can't view the post above, click here.
He shared a graphic displaying the states that have had shark attacks, which included other landlocked states, including New Mexico, Missouri, and Kentucky, having at least one shark attack on record.
The International Shark Attack File has a database of shark attacks in the U.S., but no landlocked states are included on that map. As you may expected, Florida records the most shark attacks, with 828 of confirmed unprovoked shark attacks to date.
