ORLANDO, Fla. – SeaWorld has surpassed 43,000 animal rescues, marking a milestone for one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world.
According to a news release, the milestone was reached earlier this month when SeaWorld Rescue in San Diego saved an orphaned California sea lion pup found on the back stairs of a beach house in Carlsbad, California. The nearly 1-year-old female pup was emaciated and dehydrated upon arrival at the SeaWorld Rescue Center. She is currently receiving fluids and formula while learning to eat fish on her own.
“Our rescue teams, like all of our zoological professionals, are made up of compassionate and skilled animal care specialists who devote countless hours to helping animals in need,” said Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer at United Parks & Resorts.
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SeaWorld rescue teams in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, rescuing species ranging from manatees and dolphins to turtles and aquatic birds.
Among this year’s standout rescues, Melby the manatee — pulled from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach and rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando — was released back into the wild April 7 after gaining more than 100 pounds, drawing a crowd of supporters and inspiring a local mother to write a children’s book about resilience.
SeaWorld has conducted animal rescues since 1965.