SeaWorld Orlando has opened its first Coral Rescue Center to park guests.
The rescue facility enables the public to 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 about conservation, and understand the steps needed to improve ocean health.
Park guests can see hundreds of living coral colonies and 15 different species – many of which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida partnered with SeaWorld for the coral rescue centre initiative.
Corals were selected and transferred from the Florida Coral Rescue Center (FCRC) to the SeaWorld Coral Rescue Center.
The aim is to return them to the Florida reef as part of restoration efforts.
The reef is fighting the impacts of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) which is a highly lethal disease.
The Center also aims to preserve a natural environment by introducing reef cleaners such as fish, snails, crabs, and sea urchins.
The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida is a nonprofit dedicated to Florida’s native animals and plants and the lands and waters they need to survive.
