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On Call 24/7 To Help Animals

August 17, 2015
As first responders, our legacy of animal rescue spans more than 50 years, and has benefited tens of thousands of ill, injured and orphaned animals. What started as a few dedicated volunteers has evolved in to a world-renowned and highly-skilled Rescue Team that is ready to act a moment’s notice.

As first responders, our legacy of animal rescue spans more than 50 years, and has benefited tens of thousands of ill, injured and orphaned animals. What started as a few dedicated volunteers has evolved in to a world-renowned and highly-skilled Rescue Team that is ready to act a moment’s notice.

There’s no such thing as a small rescue in our world. Every animal in need is an emergency, and we believe each one deserves a second chance at life. That’s why the SeaWorld Rescue Team is available 24/7, 365 days a year. And that’s why our veterinarians and animal care teams work day and night to provide the care that many of these animals need to survive.

To date, we have rescued more than 33,000 animals in need

We cannot do this important work by ourselves. Most people don’t realize the close partnership SeaWorld has with local agencies. In fact, we are often the first call – the 911 emergency call – from local, state and federal agencies or rescue and rehabilitation partners who become aware of an animal in need of critical, expert care. Inland, shoreline or the ocean and everywhere between, the SeaWorld Rescue Team will go to where the animals need us. 

Our goal for every animal we rescue is to successfully rehabilitate and return it to the wild. The small percentage of animals with conditions that would prevent them from surviving in the wild, which are determined by our agency partners like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), are given lifelong care with us or at another accredited facility.
We are continuously innovating when it comes to rescue and treatment.  No two cases are ever the same. Our inventive animal rescue and care experts have:

  • Created nutritional formulas and nursing bottles to hand-feed orphaned animals.
  • Saved sea turtles with cracked shells using everyday items like honey and baby ointment.
  • Crafted prosthetic beaks for injured birds.
  • Developed an "animal wetsuit" to help injured manatees stay afloat.

Here are just some of the inspiring animal rescues that SeaWorld has had the honor of being a part of. You can see more of these stories and learn about these animals by clicking the links below.

SeaWorld Rehabilitating Three Orphaned Manatees

Rescued, Rehabilitated and Reunited at SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld’s Florida and Texas Rescue Teams Join Forces to Save Entangled Dolphin