Beluga experience

[eeyorefanuk]

Does anyone know why this was stopped?

 

[macraven]

from the orlando newspaper:




SeaWorld Orlando has stopped offering its beluga interaction program, in which visitors could pay $119 to don wetsuits and get in the water with the whales.

SeaWorld spokeswoman Becca Bides said in an email the program is "currently under review." She did not say why. "We're always exploring new ways to enhance and evolve our complete menu of animal interaction opportunities and this review is part of that commitment," she said.

Beluga interaction programs are still being offered at SeaWorld in San Diego and San Antonio.

SeaWorld pointed out that visitors can still see belugas up close through the more limited Wild Arctic Up-Close Tour, which costs $59.


The beluga interaction program has been around in Orlando since 2005.

 

[lunaland]

Because there is such a small number of Belugas held in human care in the United States the entire population is managed as one population instead of individually by each facility. Recently to promote breeding several animals switched locations. Seaworld had 3, but the two younger animals were moved and an older animal took their place. So with only two animals currently it probably doesn't give them enough animals to ensure the interaction could happen. They need to be able to rotate the interaction animals out according to how they are behaving that day, that hour. Plus, I had heard a while back that their female might be pregnant. That leaves them with only one interaction animal, who is new to their facility.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Ah thank you both

With orlando though you are on the ledge not in the water as newspaper said

Lunaland .... We had three when we did our experience and one of them was being mischievous lol

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Did the wild artic tour 2014

Dh wondered why they stopped the shark dive

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Oh to see a baby one

 

[chiamarie]

The shark dive stopped because the same technology was moved to Sea Venture and they didn't want two programs competing against each other for business.

SeaWorld's female beluga is NOT pregnant, she's just finally gained some weight and looks like a normal adult beluga.