Sea World Myth Busters | Village Roadshow Theme Parks Blog

Sea World Myth Busters | Village Roadshow Theme Parks

Mitchell from Village Roadshow Theme Parks | 19 February 2019 | 5 minute read

At Sea World, we are proud of what we do. We have a long-history of working with marine animals, with over 40 years of experience in animal care, research and rescue. The health and wellbeing of our animals is of the utmost priority and we have a strong reputation for caring for marine animals.

Sea World is an accredited zoological institution under the Zoo and Aquarium Association and we are also regulated by multiple State and Federal Government agencies. In addition to this, we have a detailed, strong animal welfare and ethics policy document that drives every action and decision that relates to the animals in our care.

Through our not for profit Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation, we have rescued, rehabilitated and released thousands of marine animals as well as funded over 150 marine research projects with high scientific merit. Every time Sea World is involved in a rescue, a contribution is made to public awareness and scientific knowledge. This program also helps Australian scientists with their research into marine life.

While we are aware that some people do not support the idea of animals in human care, we are proud of our passionate team, our world-class facilities and our position as a global community leader in conservation and education. The animals at Sea World live in world-class exhibits, with the dolphins living in some of the largest filtered natural sand bottom lagoon systems in the world.

We believe that Zoos and Aquariums play a vital role in community engagement and education and provide an opportunity for many people who would never get the chance to experience animals in the wild to build an appreciation that may hopefully have a lasting effect on their actions towards marine conservation. Our marine environment is greatly impacted by human involvement, and with Zoos and Aquariums in Australasia attracting over 18 million people each year, this is the perfect opportunity to promote conservation and education.

1. Sea World only rescues animals so they can then keep them at the park?

With all of our rescues, our primary goal is always to rehabilitate and release. However unfortunately sometimes this is just not the case and animals are unable to be released due to their inability to survive in the wild. The decision for an animal to be kept at Sea World is made by the Queensland government and this is in the best interest of the animal.

2. Dolphin breeding is forced and artificial

All of the dolphin breeding at Sea World is done naturally and is part of a carefully managed breeding program, which has been in place for many years. The process of breeding from mating, gestation, calving and raising young is very important to the enrichment of the lives of not only the mother and calf, but the whole pod. Reproduction is a natural process which enriches the lives of the animals and helps contribute to positive welfare of the animals, which is our utmost priority.

3. The Dolphins are only fed if they perform?

The food that the dolphins receive during presentations forms only part of their balanced daily diet. They have a daily food intake which is designed to meet their nutritional needs. No animal is forced to undertake any action or behaviour, they have choices and if they wish to not undertake a particular behaviour then they make that choice.

4. Dolphins are taken from the wild?

The majority of our dolphins have been born at Sea World as part of our managed breeding program, which has been in place for many years. Some animals are third generation and others were transferred to Sea World many years ago when other facilities in Australia and New Guinea closed. The Australian Government does not permit the import or export of cetaceans except for special circumstances and under a strict conservation plan. The take or interference of wild dolphins is strictly illegal in Australian waters.

5. Blackfish

Sea World on the Gold Coast is owned and operated by Village Roadshow Theme Parks, a division of Village Roadshow Limited. SeaWorld properties in the United States are an unrelated company. Sea World on the Gold Coast has never and would never house Killer Whales.

6. The Cove/Taiji

Sea World does not support Taiji or any other drive fisheries and no animals at Sea World have been sourced either directly or indirectly from Taiji. Sea World has joined international zoological associations in their protests to prevent these drives from occurring.

7. Dolphins live in small concrete tanks

Sea World is very proud of its world-class exhibits for dolphins including some of the largest filtered natural sand bottom lagoon systems in the world.

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