SeaWorld is one of the oldest and most popular marine theme parks in the world. Its parks located across the United States welcome hundreds of local guests and tourists daily – people of all ages fascinated by the diverse aquatic marine life found in different parts of the world.
But SeaWorld is more than a theme park that showcases a variety of sea animals, rides and attractions. It is also a leading champion of marine life conservation and is one of the active proponents of protecting the One Ocean and aquatic wildlife.
It is for this reason that SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the first SeaWorld Park outside the US and first marine theme park in the MENA region, has a state-of-the-art Research & Rescue Center designed to rescue, rehabilitate and return injured and lost aquatic animals to their natural habitat.
It is the first and only integrated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation, return and education center in the region. Its research programs aim to learn more about the Gulf’s aquatic ecosystems.
The center also aims to educate guests about the fascinating local marine wildlife and ways to protect and conserve them.
SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s Research & Rescue Center
Here’s a look at SeaWorld Yas Island’s Research & Rescue Center to give you an idea of the important work they’re doing to protect and conserve the Gulf’s marine environment and wildlife:
1. Research
The center’s expertly designed marine research programs aspire to study the Arabian Gulf’s unique marine ecosystems and develop innovative methodologies to restore and conserve them.
SeaWorld Yas Island’s research team has state-of-the-art field and laboratory equipment, aquaculture facilities, and a research vessel, which they use to study the resilience of the Gulf’s ecosystems and species.
Its Ecosystem Restoration program aims to discover new and innovative methods to reverse or delay the degradation of the reefs, seagrass meadows and other critical habitats. The team performs all trials in their laboratories before conducting them in the field.
The center’s aquaculture facility also enables the research team to implement aquaculture-based projects that can reduce threats to the Gulf’s wild fish populations.
2. Rescue, Rehab & Return
The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center was established to help all sick and injured marine animals in the region. The center, which is made up of a rescue and rehabilitation team, works with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and other organizations with a similar cause to ensure they can provide this service 24/7.
The center has rescue boats and specialized equipment to get to sites quickly. Once they have conducted the rescue, they give the animal the immediate treatment it needs and nurse it back to health.
The rescue team uses a variety of medical equipment to treat and care for sick and hurt marine animals. These include animal CT machines and UV lighting that imitate natural sunlight, which can be found in dedicated rehabilitation facilities.
The specialists check the animals frequently to assess when they are fully rehabilitated and recovered so that they can return them to their natural habitat, which is the primary goal of the center.
The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center is constantly looking for partners they can work with to operate an effective rescue network.
3. Education & Outreach
Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center has an Education & Outreach Team composed of zoological education professionals who passionately share their knowledge about the ocean and the environment.
The team regularly holds marine science events to give specialists, researchers, students and other people who want to take a more proactive role in protecting and conserving marine animals and the sea a platform for open discussions. The team imparts their knowledge and conducts these talks in their dedicated classrooms and a 180-seat auditorium.
Aside from marine science events, the Education & Outreach team provides learning experiences designed to educate guests on caring for the ocean and protecting the sea animals. These programs are suitable for schools, homeschool groups, youth camps, and other organizations.
Additionally, the center has an outreach and citizen science program that provides interactive, hands-on experiences to engage the community in environmental conservation. They connect people of all ages to the marine environment and offer support as they learn new, sustainable methods to protect the local ecosystems.
Guided Tour
You can get a behind-the-scenes look at SeaWorld Yas Island’s Research & Rescue Center through the park’s exclusive guided tour.
The tour takes you around the center, allowing you to get a first-hand look at the advanced facilities and equipment used in rescuing and rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife. You can also witness the specialists at work treating and caring for these animals.
You can get the guided tour ticket online, which you have to purchase since it is not included in your Yas theme park deals.
Without a doubt, SeaWorld Yas Island is another must-visit theme park in the UAE. Make sure you drop by the Research & Rescue Center to broaden your knowledge about the seas and learn how you can help protect and conserve the marine ecosystem and animals.
