Things You May Not Know About SeaWorld

It’s much more than Shamu the famous Killer Whale. SeaWorld opened on March 21, 1964. Today it is San Diego’s Number One tourist attraction and one of the most popular marine parks in the world. Over 100,000,000 visitors have experienced SeaWorld San Diego upclose and live.

In its early years the marine park was held as a private partnership. In 1968, SeaWorld went public enabling its growth. In 1970 it built a second park in Aurora, Ohio followed by a third in 1973 in Orlando, Florida. It launched the fourth in 1988 in San Antonio, Texas.

Harcourt Brace Jonvanovich Inc. owned and operated the SeaWorld Marine Parks from 1976 to 1989 when Anheuser-Busch Companies purchased SeaWorld. They are owned by Busch Entertainment Corp., the family entertainment subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch.

SeaWorld San Diego now covers 189 acres on beautiful Mission Bay Park. Over the years the San Diego SeaWorld has grown from a small display of marine animals to over 20,000 where families gain appreciation for some of the world’s most fascinating ocean creatures.

Here’s some more you probably don’t know. SeaWorld and Anheuser-Busch are committed to much more than entertainment as evidenced by their dedication to scientific research, wildlife preservation and marine-life. They partner with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (H-SWRI), a non-profit research foundation that conducts scientific investigations on the world’s living creatures and natural resources.

They provide invaluable information towards the development of appropriate environmental management decisions, conservation programs and protection of our ocean resources.

Anheuser-Busch has been dedicated to Wildlife Preservation for more than 40 years. It has worked with and supported conservation organizations throughout the world that share its vision and commitment. Partners include the National Wildlife Federation, World Wildlife Fund and the Ocean Conservancy.

In 2003, Busch Entertainment Corp. created a private charitable foundation, The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation fund to enhance financial support of environmental research, education and animal rescue programs.

SeaWorld San Diego’s education programs have benefited more than 6 million students through sleepovers, classroom outreach, instructional field trips and adventure camp programs. In the summer of 2003, SeaWorld celebrated the grand opening of SeaWorld Adventure Camps in San Diego.

Since 1993, Anheuser-Busch’s commitment to wildlife conservation, animal care, education and research has earned it more than 100 environmental awards. So now you know why SeaWorld and Anheuser-Busch is more than the famous Shamu.

For more information, visit www.swbg-conservationfund.org and of course SeaWorld San Diego on the beautiful Mission Bay Park.