- The first and only great hammerhead shark at SeaWorld Orlando joins five other shark species along with rays and fish on display in the 700,000-gallon aquarium
- Largest of the nine species of hammerhead sharks, this young male is ~7 feet long and expected to reach 10-15 feet
- Great hammerhead sharks are critically endangered with an estimated population decline of up to 80 percent; preserving the species in human care is vital to conservation
- The shark was transferred to SeaWorld Orlando from Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Western hemisphere
ORLANDO, Fla. (December 26, 2022) – SeaWorld Orlando is proud to welcome, for the first time ever, a critically endangered great hammerhead shark to its 700,000-gallon aquarium at Shark Encounter. The young male shark, named Dutch, joins five other shark species and a large array of saltwater fish currently on display at SeaWorld Orlando. This shark was transferred from Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta as part of a collaborative effort caring for shark species in accredited zoos and aquariums. SeaWorld Orlando and Georgia Aquarium are conservation partners and safely transferred this great hammerhead shark to the park’s Shark Encounter habitat where it will educate the zoo team and the public about this incredible species. Both facilities are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to uphold the highest standards of care. Protecting endangered species like the great hammerhead in human care at accredited and certified zoological settings is vital to ongoing conservation and preventing species extinction.
“We are thrilled to have this extraordinary hammerhead shark join our population at SeaWorld Orlando,” said Jim Kinsler, Curator of Aquariums at SeaWorld Orlando. “It is our privilege to provide care for this critically endangered species and to bring greater awareness and understanding of this shark to the tens of millions of guests that visit us every year.”
The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine species of hammerhead sharks. The new shark arrived in Orlando measuring seven feet long and weighing in at about 120 lbs. He is expected to reach between 10-15 feet in length.
“Both of our organizations are committed to providing exceptional standards of animal care and this great hammerhead is in great hands with the team at SeaWorld,” said Chris Coco, Senior Director of Aquatic Sustainability at Georgia Aquarium. “We have cared for hammerheads throughout our 17 years, and we’re excited to spread awareness and respect for this beautiful shark species with SeaWorld’s visitors.”
World-Class Shark Care
Sharks at SeaWorld receive the same standard of individualized care as every other species and animal in the park. They are fed a nutritious diet including a variety of seafoods such as herring, mackerel, salmon, squid, and shrimp. Every piece of food consumed by every single shark is accounted for as part of the individualized care each animal receives. Animal care specialists feed adult sharks about five percent of their body weight a week during twice weekly feeding. Every shark in also receives regular health examinations that include blood draws, weight, size and more to ensure their ongoing health is monitored and tracked.
Guests can come see the new great hammerhead shark at Shark Encounter® at SeaWorld Orlando. This habitat offers a rare, fascinating, up-close look at sharks, a prehistoric predator whose ancestors dominated the sea more than a hundred million years before the dinosaur. The aquarium includes several species of sharks, rays, and fish. The 700,000-gallon aquarium also includes one of the world’s largest underwater viewing tunnels.
A Visit to SeaWorld Helps Save Species
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists Great Hammerhead Sharks as critically endangered. Their very large dorsal fin makes them very valuable on the shark fin market which is the biggest threat to all shark species.
Approximately 100 million sharks are killed by people every year in the wild, mainly for their fins. They are also frequently bycatch victims in large nets and other indiscriminate fishing practices. Experts estimate great hammerhead shark populations have declined 50-80 percent. Conservation is essential to preserve the species from extinction.
SeaWorld is committed to educating and inspiring the next generation of shark conservationists through its park experiences. It is also committed to shark conservation outside its parks through partnerships and the SeaWorld Conservation Fund that has donated more than $300,000 to shark research conservation projects.
Guests visiting the park can also play an important role in conservation. A portion of every visit goes directly toward SeaWorld rescue, rehabilitation, and marine animal conservation efforts. Guests can also donate in the park or online to the SeaWorld Conservation Fund that supports important third-party conservation research.
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc.
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter, and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The Company is one of the world's foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry, and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned, or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 40,000 animals in need over the last 55 years. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 55-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company's theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.
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