Bringing People and Animals Together
Discovery Cove Continues a Tradition of Innovation &
Interaction
 Whether
feeding a giraffe, sleeping with sharks, howling with a wolf or getting
splashed by Shamu, guests at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens can get closer
than ever to the world's most amazing animals.
And, with Discovery Cove, Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks take the
thrill of interaction to a new level, allowing guests to play in
paradise with dolphins, birds, fish and other exotic animals.From shows to summer camps, in-park attractions to outreach programs,
Discovery Cove, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are internationally acclaimed
for bringing the world of wildlife to millions of people each year.
We have a simple philosophy: the more people experience animals, the
more they will appreciate them and, in turn, the more they will help
protect and preserve them, said Victor G. Abbey, chairman and president
of Busch Entertainment Corp. We want our guests to have fun, but we
also hope they will leave our parks with a renewed respect for nature
and the important role we all can play.
SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove are home to the world's
largest zoological collection, totaling some 60,000 animals. these
animals serve as ambassadors for their species by helping to entertain,
educate and inspire millions of people in and out of the Anheuser-Busch
Adventure Parks.
Among the parks' innovative efforts:
-
Shows and attractions “ Guests at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and
Discovery Cove enjoy a rare glimpse into the lives of endangered and
exotic animals from around the world. By combining elements of
entertainment and education, these experiences are as enriching as
they are fun. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been a pioneer in creating
naturalistic habitats for African species, beginning with the opening
of its trend-setting Serengeti Plain more than 30 years ago. This
year, a major enhancement to this area, called Rhino Rally, brings
guests closer than ever to zebras, giraffes, gazelles and other
animals.
Likewise, SeaWorld is renowned as a leader in highlighting the
natural behaviors and adaptations of marine animals. For decades,
shows featuring killer whales, dolphins, sea lions and other aquatic
animals have delighted guests.
- Interaction programs and behind-the-scenes tours “ For
guests who desire even closer animal encounters, Discovery Cove,
SeaWorld and Busch Gardens offer special programs for a limited number
of participants. SeaWorld parks provide one-on-one interaction
programs with false killer whales, manatees, beluga whales and sea
lions (programs vary by location). Other opportunities include tours
of rescue and rehabilitation facilities and joining animal-care
specialists on their rounds with rhinos, penguins or polar bears.
Discovery Cove offers guests the opportunity to become trainers for a
day, shadowing animal trainers as they work behind-the-scenes with a
variety of unique animals, including bottlenose dolphins.
- Educational programs and Adventure Camps “ Thousands of
students and teachers visit the parks on instructional field trips and
other learning opportunities. these visits bring lessons about
science, geography and the environment to life.
 And,
for a more intense and immersive experience, SeaWorld & Busch Gardens
Adventure Camps offer hands-on experiences for students in grade
school through high school. Campers work side-by-side with zoological
staff as they help feed everything from penguins to rhinos, learn how
to train dolphins or go on rounds with a veterinarian.
- Outreach programs “ Animal experts from SeaWorld, Busch
Gardens and Discovery Cove make hundreds of community appearances each
year to bring the exciting world of animals to schools, science
centers, hospitals and other venues. Curriculum guides and other
reference material on wildlife and habitat preservation is distributed
free to teachers worldwide.
- Media programs “ Animal Ambassador Julie Scardina
spotlights the fun side of animals to TV viewers around the globe as a
frequent guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Rosie O'Donnell
Show, Today and other programs. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens also
sponsor Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, with the host introducing each
week's show from his base camp at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
the Emmy award-winning show, Shamu TV, brings kid-friendly conservation
information from SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens to millions
of viewers on cable TV and in classrooms. And online, the
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database, at
SeaWorld.org, has
been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the best
animal resources for students and teachers.
the
World We Share
Busch Entertainment
Corporation's Commitment to the Environment
Providing guests with memorable experiences is an important goal, but
not the only one that Busch Entertainment Corp. strives to achieve in
its parks. BEC is committed to protecting and preserving wildlife and
the environment the world over.
This commitment starts with a dedication to the care of tens of
thousands of animals at Discovery Cove, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens ...
and around the world. BEC supports conservation, education and research
on all seven continents and in oceans around the world.
 the
SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Rescue Team is on call 24 hours a day to
come to the aid of injured, ill or stranded animals. From 20,000-pound
gray whales to tiny penguin hatchlings, animals get life-saving care
from this dedicated team of animal experts. their primary objective: To
return rehabilitated animals to wild. And in fact, no other organization
rescues, rehabilitates and releases more animals.
SeaWorld San Diego played a pivotal role in the rescue and
rehabilitation of otters injured in the Valdez oil spill and recently
rehabilitated and released the largest animal ever returned to the wild,
J.J. the gray whale.
In Florida, SeaWorld Orlando operates the world's largest
manatee-rescue program, having saved nearly 250 of the endangered
animals. This year the state of Florida awarded the park special
recognition for its efforts as the state's leading partner in saving
manatees.
 In
its 35-year history of animal rescue and rehabilitation, SeaWorld and
Busch Gardens have rescued more than 11,000 animals representing 140
species.
SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have made significant contributions to
species survival through successful breeding programs for the Humbolt
penguin, Asian otter, black rhinoceros and Grevy's zebra, among others.
In addition, SeaWorld's groundbreaking breeding efforts with killer
whales have added greatly to scientists' knowledge of these amazing
animals and have resulted in the births of more than a dozen killer
whales.
Around the world, BEC devotes expertise, funding and other resources to
field research and conservation programs. Projects range from monitoring
endangered right whales in the North Atlantic to protecting sea birds
off the coast of Maine to helping prevent poaching of black rhinos in
Africa.
In addition to its work on behalf of animals, BEC and its parks
contribute to the environment in many other ways:
- Employees at SeaWorld San Antonio formed a group called the Sea
World Environmental Action Team (SWEAT) to tackle issues such as
energy and water management at the park and to adopt and sponsor
recycling efforts.
- Busch Gardens and Water Country USA in Williamsburg recycle 25
different materials, keeping more than 550 tons of waste from
landfills a year.
- SeaWorld San Diego partners with the city of San Diego and other
organizations to raise public awareness about storm-drain pollution.
the Think Blue campaign features SeaWorld-produced public-service
announcements alerting residents to the effects of dumping pollutants
into drains.
- For the past eight years, the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental
Excellence Awards have recognized and rewarded students and teachers
across the country who are working at the grass-roots level to protect
and preserve the environment.
 BEC's
commitment to conservation finds its roots in parent company Anheuser-
Busch, the world's largest recycler of aluminum beverage cans and one of
the largest purchasers of recycled products in the nation.
Anheuser-Busch is a leader in conserving natural resources and
protecting the environment. the company's commitment can be traced to
1899, when it was the first to recycle spent brewer's grain for animal
feed.
Anheuser-Busch not only makes environmental stewardship an important
operating principle, it also works beyond plant boundaries to bring
about a better environment. Partnerships with organizations ranging from
the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation work to safeguard wildlife and its habitats for future
generations. |
