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About Us - History
Animal Care, Rescue & Rehabilitation:
Summary
SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove care for the world's largest animal collection - nearly 60,000 animals. Together, the parks care for more than 50 threatened and endangered species.
The parks employ the largest and most-experienced team of veterinarians, trainers and animal-care specialists to ensure the health and safety of this diverse animal population. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens veterinarians and animal care specialists are called on to assist in animal rescues around the world.
A critical part of the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks' environmental commitment is the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program. Through this program, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens devote around-the-clock, behind-the-scenes and across-the-globe resources and technology to rescue, treat, shelter and release many species of stranded, sick and injured animals. The Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks rescue, rehabilitate and release more animals than any other organization in the world. Since 1970, the parks have rescued more than 13,000 animals, including several endangered and threatened species - that averages out to about one animal rescue every day for the past 34 years.
The main objective of the Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program is to return rehabilitated animals to the wild. The parks' financial commitment to its Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program is estimated at more than one million dollars per year.
Animals that have survived their illness or injury but are determined non-releasable, have been adopted and given permanent homes by SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. These animals are housed in state-of-the-art, interpretive educational exhibits, which allow park guests to learn about the plight of these animals in the wild, conservation issues and changes that can be made to help animals and our environment. Data gathered through this program help scientists to accurately assess and gauge environmental changes and assist population management programs.
Florida manatees
SeaWorld parks and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute collaborate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey Sirenia Project to rescue, rehabilitate and release sick, injured or orphaned Florida manatees. Since 1976, SeaWorld has rescued 275 Florida manatees and released more than 100. SeaWorld Orlando staff members assist both the Sirenia Project and Florida DEP in recapturing released manatees to assess their health. SeaWorld veterinarians often consult with colleagues in countries bordering the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea who are working with sick or injured West Indian manatees. These rescue and rehabilitation activities provide opportunities for scientists to conduct research on the endangered Florida manatee.
Sea turtles
In collaboration with state and federal agencies, SeaWorld parks treat each year dozens of green, loggerhead, hawksbill, leatherback and Kemp's Ridley sea turtles - all endangered or threatened species. Some turtles have suffered injuries resulting from entanglement, watercraft collisions, ocean dredging or ingestion of non-food items. Injured or ill sea turtles may require round-the-clock care and months of treatment and rehabilitation. Since 1987, more than 500 sea turtles have been rescued.
Seals & sea lions
SeaWorld parks and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute collaborate with state and federal agencies for the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded pinnipeds. Most of the work is one in California. Since 1977, more than 3,700 pinnipeds (primarily California sea lions, northern elephant seals and harbor seals) have been rescued. Rescue activities provide scientists opportunities to study how pinniped populations respond during times of high (pinniped) population densities.
Whales & dolphins
SeaWorld parks and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute collaborate with state and federal agencies and other marine zoological parks in the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded cetaceans. Since 1965 the parks have handled more than 350 such rescues. When possible, the animals are returned to sea, some with radio or satellite transmitter packages attached. In general, cetacean rescue and rehabilitation operations provide scientists opportunities to study animals - such as dwarf and pygmy sperm whales - rarely seen in the wild or in managed zoological environments.
Aquatic birds
Each year, SeaWorld parks rescue hundreds of sick or injured aquatic birds. Since 1978, more than 6,500 birds have been rescued, including endangered and threatened species such as the brown pelican (southern California population).
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