US singer Jason Derulo has come under fire for his unique shark tank at home with an animal welfare organisation urging the star to use his platform to educate people better
Jason Derulo has been slammed by an animal welfare organisation after clips surfaced of his home shark tank. The singer, 36, revealed his $1 million (£747,500) shark and stingray tank inside his living room last month.
The lavish tank, which is a centrepiece of his floor, allows people to walk over the see-through section as the animals swim below. But his unique design divided opinions online.
As the clip circulated on TikTok, users were quick to call out the singer. In the clip, Derulo said it “took a lot” to create his centrepiece. He claimed he had to redo the design so that the sharks were visible and explained the cleaning schedule that he has in place.
He also revealed he lets his son name the animals. But one user shared their dissatisfaction and simply wrote: “Cruel,” while another added: “I mean, cool have a pet shark but make them a tank with room to actually move, like damn they have that little circle with no structure to live in and correct me if I’m wrong sharks live a good amount of years.”
Christian Plowman, Program Manager, Wildlife Cybercrime at IFAW, also released a damning comment on the star. He said: “Sharks are facing severe pressures – threatened by overfishing, pollution and habitat destruction, with many species now considered endangered. They play a critical role in maintaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
“The recent seizure of more than 700 trafficked marine animals in Argentina is a stark reminder that the illegal ‘exotic’ pet trade extends far beyond the species most people think of. Sharks, rays and other marine animals are increasingly being targeted to satisfy demand for home aquariums and luxury displays.”
Plowman went on: “For some, these animals have become the ultimate status symbol. Singer Jason Derulo recently showcased a home shark tank. When celebrities and influencers with millions of followers treat wild animals as interior design features, the consequences reach far beyond their living rooms.
“Normalising the ownership of sharks in a domestic tank sends a damaging message to audiences around the world. If Derulo genuinely cares about these animals, he could use his platform as a powerful force for good.”
Explaining what he’d prefer the singer to be doing, Plowman said the star could help to educate people. He also asked him to “challenge misconceptions”.
He went on: “Help turn the tide on a trade that is pushing some of the world’s most remarkable marine species closer to extinction. Right now, he is setting a bad example.”
And in an urgent plea to the public, Plowman said: “IFAW urges the public not to like, share or engage with content that normalises the keeping of wild animals as pets. Every interaction feeds the algorithm – and ultimately, the trade.
“Sharks and other wild animals are not accessories. They are not floor displays. They are not pets.”
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