SeaWorld Debuts Manatee Rehab Center to Public!
The Manatee Rehabilitation Center at SeaWorld Orlando, Florida is now open to the public! Photo Courtesy of SeaWorld
Greetings! In this blog, I’d like to talk about the great news of SeaWorld recently opening its manatee rehabilitation area to the public! This area is actually a, “ 5-acre Rescue Center used for rehabilitating wildlife that has been ill, injured or orphaned – including manatees, sea turtles, birds and other marine animals.” And while it’s true, that a guided tour of the rehabilitation area has been in operation for years, SeaWorld has now opened one special portion of the rehab area where complimentary viewing is available for all park guests.
Guests can now go behind the scenes and experience SeaWorld’s Manatee Rescue Facility in actual operation! The guests will learn more about how vulnerable we manatees really are in the wild. Visitors to the facility can see digital medical charts, interactive displays, underwater cameras for viewing, and rescue videos right from SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue Team. By opening up its manatee rescue facility to the public, SeaWorld hopes this will generate a greater awareness of how vulnerable these marine mammals are in the wild.
SeaWorld began its operations in 1964 and was founded by George Millay, Milt Shedd, Ken Norris and David DeMott. The facility was originally planned as a unique underwater restaurant. However, the concept blossomed into a wonderful marine zoological park situated on 21 acres along the banks of Mission Bay in San Diego. Its original investment was $1.5 million, which employed 45 people, a few dolphins, sea lions and two saltwater aquariums. And during SeaWorld’s first year of operations, it brought in more than 400,000 visitors!
Currently, there are three SeaWorld park locations in the United States. These include the original park site located in San Diego, California, along with parks located in Orlando, Florida and San Antonio, Texas. Adding to family fun, SeaWorld created its exclusive Discovery Cove in Orlando, Florida. It features a tropical theme where guests can swim with dolphins and other sea animals. Additionally, SeaWorld also runs Aquatica, which is its waterpark. Aquatica Waterparks are located in Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego. Guests at these parks will experience up-close animal interactions, educational areas, and also unique entertainment for all ages. If you’re planning to visit SeaWorld Orlando, a single-day pass is $79 for ages 3 and up.
And – by the way, you can find all Kobee Manatee Children’s Educational Books at SeaWorld!
If you see any sick or injured manatees, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: 1-888-404-FWCC. They are the folks who are responsible for rescuing us in Florida.
Here’s the Save the Manatee Club link to learn more about us manatees …
Here’s a cool link for you to learn more about how we’re rescued and brought into rehabilitation …
~ Kobee Manatee
