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Although picking up trash seems far removed from SeaWorld's animal habitats and entertainment programs, it's an integral part of safe environments for marine animals. For example, plastic is a perennial problem for ocean-going marine animals. Turtles, sea lions and dolphins often mistake floating plastic bags for food. Some become trapped in the matter, while others perish after eating it.
Caring for the world's oceans is a common conservation theme
throughout the SeaWorld parks and is emphasized in education
programs and park exhibits. Nothing illustrates the importance
of this mission like caring for a stranded animal. Although
not regular occurrence at SeaWorld San Antonio, when it does
happen, it only serves to drive home the importance of clean
beaches. Mattie, an orphaned Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, arrived
at SeaWorld San Antonio in 1996 after being rescued by the Texas
Marine Mammal Stranding Network at Matagorda Beach. At the time
of her stranding, Mattie was covered with cuts and scratches.
Although we will never know what caused her to lose her mother,
her plight served as a reminder about caring for the beaches.
Mattie's wounds healed shortly after arriving at SeaWorld, and
she gained more than 200 pounds.
The National Marine Fisheries Service determined that returning Mattie to the wild would not be in her best interest because she lacked the skills needed for survival. Mattie became part of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin family at SeaWorld San Antonio and in April 2001, she gave birth to a calf.
"Mattie's story really inspires our employees at beach cleanup time," said Cook. "You just never know who you might help by participating in Adopt-A-Beach. It's a project we always look forward to."
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