Sea World had a hard week with its stock losing 30% due to bad last quarter results. There is several reasons for that starting by a decrease attendance due to what was unveiled by the BlackFish movie. So, last Friday, Sea World counter-attacked by revealing a major expansion of the killer whales habitat, called "Blue World Project" which include a much bigger habitat for the killer whales.
Once completed, in 2018, Sea World guests will enjoy breathtaking underwater views of Sea World Shamu(s) but will it be enough to make the killer whales happy? I'm afraid that Sea World still don't want to admit that these huge animals are obviously born to live free in oceans and not in man-made environment, even if they are 350 feet long with a depth of 50 feet like the new one will be. Anyway, i suppose that a jail twice bigger is better than nothing, and let's have a look at what is in the plans with the press release and really nice renderings.
Transformational New Environments
Once again, SeaWorld is on the leading edge of innovation and science with the announcement of these first-of-its-kind killer whale environments. These new homes will build upon SeaWorld’s legacy of providing state-of-the-art animal living spaces and offering park guests unique killer whale encounters, inspiring generations to come.
The new killer whale homes and related research initiatives have a bold vision: to advance global understanding of these animals, to educate, and to inspire conservation efforts focused on protecting killer whales in the wild.
Named the Blue World Project because of its size and scope, the new environment will allow for increased engagement with SeaWorld experts through new enrichment experiences and interactive programs. The environment will enhance the educational experience for guests, foster deeper knowledge of killer whales and their ocean environment, and inspire guests young and old to celebrate and conserve the natural world.
Expanding on SeaWorld’s legacy of animal environment design, the enlarged environment will provide killer whales with even more dynamic opportunities. It will support the whales’ broad range of behaviors and provide choices that can challenge them both physically and mentally.
Among other things, it is planned to include a “fast water current” that allows whales to swim against moving water, thus functionally increasing speed and diversity.
Innovative features focused on husbandry and animal care will offer SeaWorld’s animal health professionals and independent scientists unique access to the whales that can lead to a better understanding and care of the animals both in the parks and in the wild.
The San Diego environment is expected to open to the public in 2018 with new killer whale homes to follow at SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Antonio.
Artwork: copyright Sea World
That looks very nice!
ReplyDeleteI have always enjoyed Sea World, even if I know that it is not the ideal environment for many of its creatures.
I suppose and hope that this new habitat will provide much better condition to the whales and also a better experience to the guests.
If we think that Sea World shouldn't exist and that these aninals should only live in the wild, than I suppose that neither Animal Kingdom should exist or any Zoo in the world.
I'm not that radical though, for me as long as they do not mistreat any of the animals and give them all a decent and healthy environment, these places are nice for people to get in touch to and see these animals, something that most people would never be able to do anywhere else, and with that better understand, respect and care for these creatures...