Orlando, Fla. (July 20, 2018) – SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Team and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium assisted in the rescue of an 290 pound adult melon-headed whale in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
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Melon-Headed Whale Found Near Clearwater Beach Transported To SeaWorld For Care
Orlando, Fla. (July 20, 2018) – Today, members of the SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Team and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium assisted in the rescue of an 290 pound adult melon-headed whale in Clearwater Beach, Fla. The teams were called to assist by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) after getting a call about this animal being on the beach. Upon conferring with NOAA Fisheries after assessing the animal, the decision was made to transport the animal to SeaWorld Orlando for rehabilitation.
The whale was successfully transported to SeaWorld Orlando's Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility for further evaluation and rehabilitation. After an initial veterinary exam and treatment, the whale was observed to have no visible external injuries and was able to swim unsupported at the park's rescue facility. Treatment including antibiotics and fluids, along with blood work and other diagnostic tests are being performed to determine the next steps in whale's recovery plan. The first 24 to 96 hours at SeaWorld is the critical time for the whale in determining the long-term prognosis.
SeaWorld Orlando's Animal Rescue Team is on call 24/7 to save and care for injured, orphaned or ill animals. In collaboration with NOAA Fisheries and other members of stranding networks, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world's most respected programs authorized to rescue ill and injured marine animals, with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the ocean SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 31,000 animals in need - ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned - for more than five decades.
Footage of rescued cetaceans is produced by SeaWorld under the National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Health and Response Program.
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About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The company collectively cares for what it believes is one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 29,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
The company owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 50-year history, the company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection of over 800 species of animals. The company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company. Visit
www.seaworldentertainment.com for more information.