How Does SeaWorld Transport Animals?
Utmost Care
Many of the whales, dolphins and other animals that visitors marvel at in SeaWorld's popular parks weren't born there. Some came from other zoos and marine facilities, and others were rescued in the wild. Moving these animals requires extraordinary care and plenty of planning. It also frequently involves the use of chartered planes, specially equipped vans and an occasional crane.
Case studies
The following examples show how SeaWorld's transportion of animals can be a complicated endeavor:
• SeaWorld Orlando and its sister park in San Antonio recently chartered planes to fly four young killer whales to a zoological park in the Canary Islands. During the flights, the whales were secured in reinforced canvas slings inside watertight transport containers lined with foam.
• SeaWorld San Diego used a truck, a crane, a US Coast Guard cutter and an extra-large sling to move J.J., a 31-foot gray whale weighing 19,200 pounds -- the largest mammal ever transported. J.J., who had been found in the surf near Los Angeles when she was one week old, was returned to the sea 2 miles off the San Diego coast.
• Sometimes SeaWorld turns the task of transporting animals over to a private delivery company. DHL provided air and ground transportation for two manatees that traveled from the Cincinnati Zoo to SeaWorld Orlando. More than 20 DHL employees oversaw details that included managing container specifications, variable manatee weights and in-flight temperature, food and access requirements.
To the Rescue
SeaWorld has animal rescue teams on call 24 hours day that respond to emergencies involving injured, ill or stranded animals. During the past three decades these teams have rescued more than 14,000 sick or orphaned animals. SeaWorld Orlando rescues 20 to 40 stranded marine mammals, primarily manatees, as well as 100 to 200 birds and 40 to 50 sea turtles each year. SeaWorld San Diego treats up to 475 marine mammals and 400 birds annually. Those animals that recover are then returned to the wild when possible.
Seals are transported in cages to restrict movement and prevent injury while whales and dolphins are lifted into SeaWorld rescue team vans with strong nylon slings and placed in padded fiberglass transport units.
SeaWorld foots the bills for all of its animal-rescue efforts, which cost more than $1 million per year.
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