Niki Nelson Media Kit

Media Kit
 Table Of Contents

Company Profile ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3

News Release ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

Fact Sheet --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

FAQ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6

Orca Video -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7

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 Company Profile

What started out as an idea to create an underwater dining experience in San

Diego turned into the first SeaWorld park. Four UCLA graduates had the idea to

create a restaurant where customers could view marine life as they ate, but

unfortunately its construction was deemed unfeasible. Instead, the four men,

George Millay, Milt Shedd, Ken Norris and David DeMott, opened the very first

SeaWorld in 1964. Even in its infancy with only one location in the Mission Bay

area of San Diego, along with very few marine mammals, the park still managed to

attract more than 400,000 guests a year.

Currently, SeaWorld has three parks by that name in the United States: San

Diego, San Antonio, Texas, and Orlando, Florida. SeaWorld also has a partnership

with Busch Gardens and now goes by the title SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

There are 12 parks total in the country (not all are named SeaWorld, only three)

and one opening in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2022.

SeaWorld also makes conservation, animal rescue, and animal rehabilitation

efforts. The Busch Gardens Conservation Fund inspired millions of guests to

donate and support the natural habitats of animals like the ones you may see at

SeaWorld park. SeaWorld has helped approximately 27,000 injured and/or sick

animals over the past 50 years and have successfully rehabilitated a majority of

them so that they can return to the wild, and those who cannot thrive in their

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original habitats receive lifelong care from SeaWorld. These are just few of the

many services the company offers to wildlife, and funds donated may also go to

research to learn more about the animals that are cared for.

The first thing that pops into the minds of many when the name “SeaWorld”

is mentioned is the orca whale. These large ocean hunters, members of the dolphin

family, have become a staple of the SeaWorld experience. The current 21 orcas at

three different parks make up the last generation of orcas to be housed at any

SeaWorld-owned park. Because SeaWorld has learned that orcas thrive best in

their natural habitats, for their safety and the safety of our employees, no more

orcas will be bred in captivity. For now, the orcas will be kept where they are as

the parks build upgraded tanks to allow them to swim and dive greater distances

and depths.

What stood as early on as 1964 still stands now; the focus is not only to

entertain, but to educate. People learn best when they are having fun, and

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment strives to be a company that provides both to its

guests.

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News Release FOR MORE INFORMATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Niki Nelson
July 24, 2017 Public Relations Director
(123)-456-7890
Last orca born at SeaWorld dies

Today, the last orca born in captivity at SeaWorld died, presumably from

pneumonia or a similar infection. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow to

determine the precise cause of death.

The baby orca, Kyara, was only three months old when she began exhibiting

lethargic behavior and other symptoms of illness. Three days from when symptoms

appeared, despite multiple treatments given, Kyara passed away.

Kyara was housed at SeaWorld San Antonio along with her mother Takara.

She was the last orca to be born in captivity since the announcement that SeaWorld

will be discontinuing its orca breeding program. Takara was already pregnant with

Kyara when SeaWorld discontinued the program.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kyara, and are taking measures to

improve our treatment options” said CEO Joel Manby. “From this point on, no

more orcas will be born at any of the SeaWorld parks.”

Currently, across all SeaWorld parks, there are a total of 22 orcas, and soon

orca shows will be phased out and simply be exhibits.

###

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 Fact Sheet

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

P.O. Box 690129
Orlando, FL 32869

About Us  A company that educates and

entertains guests with marine
animal exhibits
 Assists in animal rescue, care, and
rehabilitation
 Opened in 1964
 Operates 12 different parks in the
USA, three of which bear the
SeaWorld name
 In the process of phasing out orca
shows
About Kyara  A three-month-old, female orca
born to Tillakum and Takara
 Housed in SeaWorld San Antonio
 Deceased July 24, 2017
 Cause of death assumed to be from
infection, possibly pneumonia
 Autopsy pending
 Last orca to be born at SeaWorld
About Our Orcas  22 currently housed altogether
across all parks
 Breeding program has stopped
since March 2016
 Orca shows will slowly be phased
out, and instead will only be
viewed as exhibits
 Plans to rehabilitate orcas into
seaside sanctuaries are currently
under discussion

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 FAQ

Q: How many parks does SeaWorld own?

A: A total of 12, three of which have the title of “SeaWorld.” There will be another
SeaWorld open in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2022.

Q: What is SeaWorld’s mission?

A: To educate and entertain the public with marine animals, as well as animal
rescue and rehabilitation.

Q: How many orcas are in SeaWorld parks?

A: 22 in total.

Q: What is being done to provide better care to orcas?

A: Besides ending the breeding program, SeaWorld has gotten approval in
California to expand its orca habitats, therefore giving them more ample room.

Q: How did Kyara die?

A: It is unknown precisely how Kyara died, however symptoms and behavior
exhibited by Kyara three days before her death lead us to believe it may be an
infection or pneumonia.

Q: Will SeaWorld ever release its captive orcas?

A: Although there is no set date yet, we are discussing possibilities and options for
rehabilitating orcas so that they are able to one day be released.

Q: Will released orcas be able to fend for themselves in the wild?

A: Orcas that have been in captivity for most of their lives will find it difficult to
adapt. Because of this, we have considered using seaside sanctuaries to rehabilitate
them back to the wild.

Q: Will any more orcas be born at SeaWorld?

A: No. Not only was our breeding program cancelled, but no other female orcas
are pregnant.

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References:

 https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/03/17/470720804/seaworld-
agrees-to-end-captive-breeding-of-killer-whales

 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/07/25/last-orca-
calf-born-captivity-seaworld-park-dies/507569001/

 https://seaworldentertainment.com/

 https://seaworldentertainment.com/en/how-we-care/conservation

 https://seaworldcares.com/Future/Last-Generation/