SeaWorld Florida Champions Coral Conservation

SeaWorld Orlando has opened its first and all new Coral Rescue Center to park guests following a VIP ribbon cutting ceremony with members of Florida's conservation and rescue communities,

It is one of the largest public-facing facilities dedicated to coral conservation in the country.

The state-of-the-art rescue facility provides the public with a unique opportunity to observe and interact with coral biologists as they carry out daily husbandry for “at risk" Florida corals.

The Center provides an important way to view living corals up close, learn more about conservation, and understand the steps everyone can take to make a difference in ocean health.

Park guests can marvel at the hundreds of living coral colonies and 15 different species – many of which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The Center is part of SeaWorld’s ongoing commitment to coral conservation as the private and public sector come together to help save the Florida coral reef. The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is the partner of the coral rescue centre initiative.

The Center’s corals were selected and transferred from the Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC) to the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center for world-class care with the goal of being returned to the Florida reef as part of state and national restoration efforts.

The reef is suffering from the devastating effects of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) – a highly lethal disease with a mortality rate of up to 100 percent.

“The new SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center represents another significant commitment to protect and conserve coral reefs and the Center enables the public to get a close up look at our work as we provide exceptional care in a safe haven for vulnerable corals as the conservation community works together to restore our vital coral reef system,” said Jim Kinsler, Zoological Curator at SeaWorld Orlando and Manager of the Florida Coral Rescue Center in Orlando.

“By raising awareness about the importance of corals and their role in the environment, we hope to ignite a passion for conservation in our visitors, empowering them to become ambassadors for the protection and preservation of Florida’s corals.”

About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life.