SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is home to nearly 200 endangered, threatened and at-risk animal species. Some of the many examples found at our parks include: lemurs, orangutans, polar bears, sea otters, cheetahs, zebras, gray wolves, black rhinos, macaws and chimpanzees.
Today is Endangered Species day, and here at SeaWorld Orlando we would like to showcase a few of our endangered animals that we work daily to help and protect. Our Animal Rescue Team is on call 24/7, 365 days a year to help ill and injured manatees, sea turtles, sandhill cranes and many other animals in need. In collaboration with the government and other members of accredited stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured animals with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the ocean. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 23,000 animals in need - ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned - for more than four decades.
SeaWorld Orlando has one of the most successful manatee rescue and rehabilitation programs in the world. Our first manatee rescue occurred in 1976, and since then, we have rescued 500 of these endangered Florida animals that’s no small feat!
We’ve also developed a special manatee calf formula which provides abandoned calves the nutrients they need. Thanks to this special formula, the four abandoned calves rescued last year are now thriving and transitioning to their regular diet which consists of romaine lettuce, lots and lots of lettuce! Through the efforts of our dedicated Animal Rescue Team, we hope that these manatees will grow into healthy young adults and will be able to be returned back to their natural environment.
Another element that helps us standout with our manatee rescues is the equipment we use. We created a specialty boat that has a back that drops down for easy rescuing and returning of manatees. In addition, the motor is in the front and up high to prevent boating accidents.
In addition to manatees, we are continuously supporting sea turtles. Unfortunately, all sea turtles species are threatened with extinction. In Orlando, we have rescued more than 1,300 of these rare reptiles since our rescue program began in 1980. In January of 2010, more than 300 cold-stunned, endangered sea turtles were rehabilitated after suffering the effects of record-setting low temperatures across the state of Florida—the largest rescue, rehabilitation and release event in our history. In fact, all have been returned to the ocean as of February, 2014.
For us, rescuing goes beyond the ocean. You would never know, but birds actually account for the largest number of rescues here at SeaWorld Orlando. And of all the birds we help, the sandhill crane is rescued at the highest frequency—75 just in 2013 alone. This threatened Florida native is commonly found in yards looking for grubs and bugs. Unfortunately, many cranes need to be rescued every year due to injuries from cars and even some illegally being shot with arrows and bullets.
We also help wild animals through The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund which supports wildlife research, habitat protection, animal rescue and conservation education in the U.S. and in more than 60 other countries. It was created to allow guests to join the parks’ efforts in protecting wildlife and wild places. The Fund has granted $10 million to hundreds of conservation projects that help animals in need and endangered species around the world.
Another way we help animals is through the sale of merchandise at our very own Trek Treasures gift shop located by TurtleTrek. A portion of sales from each purchase is donated to protect endangered, threatened or at-risk habitats and animals around the world. Since TurtleTrek opened in 2012, our guests have helped donate $108,000 to the SeaWorld®& Busch Gardens® Conservation Fund.
Wondering how you can help? If you see an injured marine animal or bird, you can help by calling the FWC hotline at 1(888) 404-3922 or by dialing *FWC on a cellular device.
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