- Guadalupe fur seals are listed as threatened under the
Endangered Species Act
- SeaWorld San Diego is one of only two facilities in
the United States authorized to
rehabilitate Guadalupe fur seals
- SeaWorld has rescued 36 Guadalupe fur seals in the last five
years alone
- One rescued and rehabilitated elephant seal also
returned
- Both species have a unique comeback story after being hunted
to near extinction in the 1700s and 1800s
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ORLANDO,
Fla., July 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld San
Diego today announced that it returned six rescued seals after
their successful rehabilitation on Thursday,
June 30th. The group includes five threatened Guadalupe fur
seals and one elephant seal. The seals were rescued in partnership
with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) and received
rehabilitative care at SeaWorld San Diego – one of only two
facilities in the United States
authorized to rehabilitate Guadalupe fur seals. This is largely due
to their threatened status under the Endangered Species Act and the
expert care required to ensure their health and safety.
"Rescuing, rehabilitating and returning animals in need is at
the forefront of our mission, and Guadalupe Fur Seals are no
exception," said Eric Otjen, Vice
President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld San Diego.
"Responding to animals in crisis requires a great deal of
collaboration between partners dedicated to preserving threatened
and endangered species, and we're proud to work alongside partners
like NOAA, PMMC and other members of the California Marine Mammal
Stranding Network to ensure the conservation of these precious
animals."
In the past five years, SeaWorld San Diego has rescued and
rehabilitated 36 Guadalupe fur seals. The process of rescuing them
is like that of other seal species, but they are often found in
much poorer health with ailments like emaciation, unresponsiveness,
dehydration, and starvation. SeaWorld San Diego is proud to work
alongside partners like PMMC to rescue Guadalupe fur seals and help
ensure the conservation of the species.
"We are thankful for SeaWorld's efforts on behalf of Guadalupe
Fur Seals," said Justin Viezbicke,
NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator. "Their marine mammal
rescue and rehabilitation program has directly contributed to the
Guadalupe Fur Seal comeback story here in California."
SeaWorld San Diego Provides World-Class Animal Care
SeaWorld San Diego provides expert rehabilitative care to
rescued seals that involves world-class veterinary care, deep pools
to compliment the species' natural deep-diving abilities and
separate habitats away from the view of the public. Upon
intake, SeaWorld San Diego's rescue team collects fecal, blood,
nasal and rectal samples as well as body condition assessments in
addition to typical intake procedures. The seals receive
around-the-clock care for an average of two to three weeks until
stabilized.
Prior to being returned, the seals also receive exit exams that
include the collection of fur samples, vibrissae samples, blood
samples, body condition photos and the often the installation of
satellite tags to ensure the seals remain safe and healthy in their
natural environment. The seals are also weighed, measured and given
National Marine Fisheries tags to include in the national
database.
Guadalupe Fur Seals and Elephant Seals Once Hunted to Near
Extinction
Both Guadalupe fur seals and elephant seals have a unique
comeback story. In the 1700s and 1800s, Guadalupe fur seals were
hunted to the point that they were thought to be extinct up until
1954, when scientists discovered the species breeding in a cave on
Guadalupe Island.
Similarly, elephant seals were hunted to near extinction in the
1800s with a small population surviving in Mexico after which the population began to
steadily increase in the early 1900s. Today, robust populations of
northern elephant seals in the U.S. and Mexico are derived from those few hundred
individuals that survived in Mexico.
Today, there are an estimated 31,000 Guadalupe fur seals in
existence and more than 200,000 elephant seals largely due to
Mexican and American government protections and the ongoing rescue,
rehabilitation and return efforts of organizations like
SeaWorld.
Seals Continue to Face Threats in the Wild
Although populations of Guadalupe fur seals have drastically
increased in the past century, the species remains threatened due
to threats such as entanglement and oil spills. Guadalupe fur seals
rely on a thick layer of fur to insulate their bodies, which can be
disrupted and become dangerous if an oil spill occurs. The
successful rescue, rehabilitation and return of Guadalupe fur seals
is integral to the preservation of the species, and SeaWorld is
grateful to partner with organizations like the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help ensure the
conservation of this species for generations to come.
The northern elephant seal is the largest of the "true" seals in
the Northern Hemisphere. The species takes is name from the
large size and the long pendulous noses on the males. These large
animals spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to
molt, give birth, and mate. The largest colonies of northern
elephant seals can be found off southern California in the Channel Islands. Northern
elephant seals, like all marine mammals, are protected by the
Marine Mammal Protection Act.
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) 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 40,000 animals in need over the Company's
history. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a
portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Busch
Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place®
and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 60-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. 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.
Media Contact:
Tracy.Spahr@SeaWorld.com
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