Did You Know? Since 1995 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Adventure CampsSM have played host to nearly 300,000 campers, hailing from all 50 U.S.. View More » SeaWorld Employees Dedicated to Helping... » A New Home to Roam at BGW » The Great Pelican Rescue of 2004 » A Manatee’s Best Friend » Welcome Rob Yordi » SeaWorld Orlando Brings World of Wildlife to Disadvantaged Schools » New Adventure Camp Complex Opens at SeaWorld San Diego » Crew Members Hit the Beach » Small Bird Gets Big Boost from SWSD Yordi's past trips to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands have provided opportunities to study animals in their natural habitats. These trips were part of a partnership between SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and zoologist Jack Hanna. Now Yordi moves into his new responsibilities in "Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve," Busch Gardens Williamsburg's featured animal area. "The community is where conservation starts - you don't have to go to the Galapagos Islands to make an impact," Yordi said. After success at SeaWorld San Antonio developing a strong penguin breeding program, Yordi hopes to develop similar programs at the Williamsburg park. Yordi also hopes to implement a visiting animals program that encourages cross-educational opportunities among the Busch Entertainment Corporation parks that have zoology programs. The variety of animals within BEC's parks range from emperor penguins and Madagascar hissing cockroaches to chimpanzees and seahorses. "Busch Gardens Williamsburg has a global message of conservation, and our job is getting families interested in animals and their environmental challenges," Yordi said. Adventure Camps also are a great way to introduce animal education and conservation messages. Yordi firmly believes that many kids become interested in environmental issues due to their interest in animals, especially after seeing them up close at one of our parks.

Welcome Rob Yordi

By Natalie Miller-Moore, Busch Gardens Williamsburg It's a change of scenery this spring for Rob Yordi, from the Gulf of Mexico to the Chesapeake Bay. Rob recently moved from SeaWorld San Antonio to Busch Gardens Williamsburg to become the new zoological manager. After building a career working with marine mammals, fishes and birds, Yordi faces new challenges with the Williamsburg park's diverse collection of animals. The European-themed park features gray wolves, Clydesdale draft horses, American bald eagles and lorikeets. Yordi will continue to increase the depth of the park's zoo education program. "In my experience, the closer people get to animals, the more they care about them. It's the best way to get the word out about our conservation efforts," Yordi said. This season, "Pet Shenanigans," a new animal show, debuts at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The live-action stage show features dogs, cats and many other animals. This popular concept will raise awareness of the appeal of rescued pets. Yordi hopes to form partnerships with local marine groups in Virginia Beach and Gloucester to aid stranded or injured animals. Rob's compassion for animals has a long history - on a visit to San Pedro beach at age 12, he helped keep a stranded dolphin comfortable until a rescue team could arrive.