SEAWORLD REACHES MILESTONE OF 43,000 ANIMAL RESCUES, UNDERSCORING THE ONGOING NEED TO HELP ANIMALS IN NEED

SeaWorld (NYSE:PRKS) reported that its SeaWorld Rescue team has surpassed 43,000 animal rescues since 1965, highlighting ongoing wildlife needs.

Rhea-AI Summary

SeaWorld (NYSE:PRKS) reported that its SeaWorld Rescue team has surpassed 43,000 animal rescues since 1965, highlighting ongoing wildlife needs. Teams in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio operate 24/7, aiding manatees, dolphins, pinnipeds, turtles, birds and other species, including many threatened or endangered animals.

Argus May 18 session

+0.08% close to close Open Argus

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News Market Reaction – PRKS

On May 18, the day this news came out, PRKS closed 0.08% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the May 18 session.

Key Figures

Total animals rescued: 43,000 animals Manatees treated: 21 manatees Turtles/reptiles treated: Nearly 40 turtles/reptiles +5 more

Total animals rescued

43,000 animals

Cumulative rescues by SeaWorld Rescue team since 1965 milestone

Manatees treated

21 manatees

Rescued in Florida in first few months of 2026

Turtles/reptiles treated

Nearly 40 turtles/reptiles

Florida rescues in early 2026

Manatee capacity

60 manatees

Maximum capacity of SeaWorld Orlando’s manatee rescue center

Weight gain

More than 100 pounds

Weight Melby the manatee gained before April 7 release

Pinnipeds rescued

More than 40 pinnipeds

Rescued at SeaWorld San Diego in first five months of 2026

Birds rescued

Nearly 150 birds

Rescued at SeaWorld San Diego in first five months of 2026

Rescue center size

Five-acre rescue center

Size of SeaWorld Orlando’s manatee rescue facility

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: May 11

5 events

1. May 11

   Q1 2026 earnings

   24h Move

   -6.9%

   Seasonally weak quarter with lower attendance and wider net loss.

2. May 7

   Summer lineup launch

   24h Move

   +3.6%

   Announced coast-to-coast Summer Spectacular shows and new attractions.

3. Apr 28

   Busch Gardens promotion

   24h Move

   +0.3%

   Free admission and benefits for veterans and families for appreciation month.

4. Apr 28

   SeaWorld promotion

   24h Move

   +0.3%

   Complimentary admission and discounts for veterans across SeaWorld parks.

5. Apr 22

   New shark habitat

   24h Move

   +1.6%

   Announcement of Shark Encounter immersive habitat with new species and features.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

pinnipeds, manatees, noaa, u.s. fish and wildlife service, +1 more

5 terms

pinnipeds medical

"the team has rescued more than 40 pinnipeds (seals and sea lions)"

Pinnipeds are a group of marine mammals that includes seals, sea lions, and walruses; they spend much of their lives in the water but often come ashore to rest, breed, or feed. Investors should care because pinniped presence or protection can influence coastal operations, fisheries, tourism, and regulatory or cleanup costs—think of them as a natural factor that can change a company’s access to resources, operating schedules, or public image much like a weather pattern affects outdoor businesses.

manatees medical

"SeaWorld Orlando has the largest manatee rescue operation in the U.S."

Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals that live in warm coastal waters and rivers; they resemble big, gentle sea cows and feed on aquatic plants. Investors care because their protected status often triggers environmental rules, habitat conservation, boat speed limits, and permitting hurdles that can affect coastal development, tourism operations, and companies with marine activities—think of them as a regulatory speed bump that can change project costs and timelines.

noaa regulatory

"including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)"

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a U.S. government agency that monitors weather, oceans, and climate and issues forecasts, warnings, and environmental data. For investors, NOAA matters because its forecasts, warnings, and scientific reports can affect sectors like agriculture, energy, shipping, insurance, and fisheries—think of it as the country’s weather and ocean “traffic controller” whose information helps markets anticipate risks, supply disruptions, and regulatory actions.

u.s. fish and wildlife service regulatory

"including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal agency that protects wild animals, plants and their habitats, enforces related laws, and issues permits for actions that could affect protected species or lands. Investors should care because its decisions act like a regulatory gatekeeper — influencing whether development, energy, mining, or land-use projects can proceed, how quickly, and at what cost, which can change a project's timeline, expenses and value.

critical care centers medical

"one of only five critical care centers in the U.S."

Specialized hospital units that treat patients with life‑threatening illnesses or injuries using continuous monitoring and advanced medical equipment; think of them as a high‑tech command center for the sickest patients. They matter to investors because they are capital‑intensive and often generate steady, reimbursed revenue while carrying higher staffing, equipment and regulatory costs—so their capacity, utilization and payer mix can strongly affect a health system’s profitability and risk.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Orphaned California Sea Lion Pup Rescued in Carlsbad, Calif. Represents the 43,000^th Animal Rescued

CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA ASSETS 

ORLANDO, Fla., May 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SeaWorld through its SeaWorld Rescue team has surpassed the milestone of rescuing 43,000 injured, sick and orphaned animals, underscoring the continuing need to help animals in the wild. Early in May, SeaWorld Rescue in San Diego rescued six birds, along with a young, orphaned California sea lion pup that was found on the back stairs of a beach house in Carlsbad, Calif.

Upon assessment and intake at the SeaWorld Rescue Center, the almost one-year old female pup was emaciated and dehydrated.  The sea lion pup is being provided fluids and formula as she's learning to eat fish on her own.  The team continues to monitor her and she has been placed with other sea lion pups. To watch a video of SeaWorld's rescue milestone, click here.

SeaWorld rescue teams, located in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, are on call 24x7, 365 days a year. The more than 43,000 animals rescued span diverse species such as aquatic birds, pinnipeds, turtles, manatees, whales, dolphins, otters and a wide range of other mammals and fish. Each and every rescue is done in coordination with the appropriate local, state and national officials, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In the first few months of 2026, SeaWorld Rescue teams in Florida provided medical assistance and rehabilitation to 21 manatees and a baby dolphin, along with nearly 40 turtles/reptiles and several birds. SeaWorld Orlando has the largest manatee rescue operation in the U.S., and one of only five critical care centers in the U.S. Its five-acre rescue center can care for up to 60 manatees at a time. One of those success stories from earlier this year was Melby, the manatee rescued from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, Fla.  Melby was rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando and released back to his natural habitat on April 7 after gaining more than 100 pounds.

At SeaWorld San Diego, in the first five months of the year, the team has rescued more than 40 pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), a dolphin and nearly 150 birds.

"Our rescue teams, like all of our zoological professionals, are made up of compassionate and skilled animal care specialists who devote countless hours to helping animals in need," said Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer at United Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld's parent company. "Rescue and rehabilitation can save the lives of individual animals, and in some cases supports the preservation of endangered and threatened species, like the Florida manatee.  That is why we do this work, and why it is so important for accredited zoos and aquariums like ours to continue efforts to help animals that cannot survive on their own."

SeaWorld has passionately dedicated time, energy, and resources to help a wide range of animal species since its first rescue of a beached Dall's porpoise in 1965. SeaWorld is a professionally accredited zoo and one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world. A portion of proceeds from SeaWorld tickets and in park purchases goes toward funding rescue and rehabilitation.

Providing Long Term Care to Rescued Animals that Cannot Survive on their Own

SeaWorld's goal is always to return rescued animals to their natural environments. However, certain health conditions can make survival without human care unlikely or impossible. In those instances, wildlife authorities determine whether an animal can be returned and if not, zoos and aquariums like SeaWorld provide long-term care and permanent homes.

For example, each SeaWorld park has a sea turtle habitat that includes rescued sea turtles, each deemed non-releasable by wildlife authorities. SeaWorld San Diego is also a forever home to five southern sea otters initially stranded and rescued as part of the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program and deemed by wildlife authorities to be non-returnable. Providing long-term care to non-returnable animals enables guests in the parks to learn more about the specific challenges they faced in the wild.

It Takes a Community and Often Involves Threatened and Endangered Species

Many types of animals helped by SeaWorld are threatened or endangered such as six of the seven kinds of sea turtles, many species of coral, Florida manatees, California sea otters, and Guadalupe fur seals. Rescue and rehabilitation efforts can help mitigate species extinction. 

Marine animal rescue is a community effort. SeaWorld is part of a large network that includes state and federal wildlife agencies (NOAA, USFWS), non-government animal rescue organizations, and other zoos and aquariums that work together to protect marine animals and their habitats.

For more information, visit SeaWorld. Follow SeaWorld on Facebook and Instagram for the latest summer details and information.

About SeaWorld
SeaWorld is a leading marine life theme park and accredited zoo and aquarium that provides experiences that matter while educating and inspiring guests of all ages to care about marine life. Welcoming millions of guests every year, the parks offer fun and enriching experiences ranging from up-close animal encounters and year-round educational programs to award-winning marine-life-themed rides, special events, and live entertainment. For more than 60 years, SeaWorld has advanced marine conservation through science, education, and exceptional animal care. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, having helped more than 43,000 animals to date. SeaWorld parks are in Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). SeaWorld is part of the United Parks & Resorts Inc. (NYSE: PRKS) portfolio of theme park brands. For more information, visit SeaWorld.com.

Media Contact
mediarelations@unitedparks.com

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SOURCE United Parks and Resorts Inc.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What does SeaWorld's 43,000 animal rescue milestone mean for PRKS shareholders?

The 43,000 rescue milestone underscores SeaWorld’s long-term conservation role, which can support brand value and guest engagement. According to SeaWorld, a portion of ticket and in-park purchase revenue funds rescue and rehabilitation, linking park attendance to ongoing animal welfare programs.

How many animals has SeaWorld Rescue helped in 2026 so far?

In early 2026, SeaWorld Rescue in Florida aided 21 manatees, a baby dolphin, nearly 40 turtles and reptiles, and several birds. According to SeaWorld, its San Diego team rescued over 40 pinnipeds, a dolphin and nearly 150 birds in the year’s first five months.

How does SeaWorld (PRKS) fund its animal rescue and rehabilitation work?

SeaWorld funds rescue and rehabilitation partly through park revenue. According to SeaWorld, a portion of ticket sales and in-park purchases supports its professionally accredited rescue operations, which run year-round across Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, caring for diverse marine and aquatic species.

What is special about SeaWorld Orlando's manatee rescue operation?

SeaWorld Orlando operates the largest manatee rescue operation in the United States. According to SeaWorld, its five-acre critical care center, one of only five nationwide, can care for up to 60 manatees at a time, focusing on medical treatment, rehabilitation and release.

How does SeaWorld care for rescued animals that cannot be released?

Some rescued animals are deemed non-releasable by wildlife authorities and receive permanent care at SeaWorld. According to SeaWorld, examples include sea turtles in dedicated habitats and five southern sea otters in San Diego, allowing guests to learn about challenges these animals faced in the wild.

Which threatened and endangered species benefit from SeaWorld Rescue programs?

SeaWorld Rescue supports several threatened and endangered species. According to SeaWorld, beneficiaries include six of the seven sea turtle species, many coral species, Florida manatees, California sea otters and Guadalupe fur seals, with rescue and rehabilitation efforts helping mitigate species extinction risks.

How is SeaWorld involved in the wider marine animal rescue network?

SeaWorld works within a broad marine animal rescue network. According to SeaWorld, its teams coordinate with NOAA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state agencies, non-government animal rescue groups, and other zoos and aquariums to protect marine animals and their habitats.