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"Working with SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Discovery Cove brings value to all sides of the partnership." |
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Partnership activities: For more than a decade SeaWorld has contributed to the success of an Audubon conservation program off the coast of Maine, "Project Puffin." Launched in 1973 by the National Audubon Society, the program is working to develop techniques for restoring puffins and other seabirds to habitats where human activities such as excessive hunting, oil spills and pollution have decimated nesting colonies. Project Puffin also develops education programs that instill a sense of caring about seabirds and marine habitats through classroom presentations, boat tours and a live "puffin cam." In addition to SeaWorld's financial contributions to this program, dozens of the park's dedicated and enthusiastic aviculturists from Florida, Texas and California have lent their time, energy and expertise to the project. For three weeks in the summer, SeaWorld aviculturists camp in the Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge, Matinicus Rock and Eastern Egg Rock to help Audubon restore puffins and other rare seabirds to historic nesting places. This collaborative effort has paid off. Puffins now nest at colonies where they were missing for more than 100 years. Thanks to Project Puffin, there are now more puffins nesting in the Gulf of Maine than anytime since 1900. The success with puffins, terns, and other rare seabirds in Maine has inspired biologists worldwide to restore rare seabird colonies using the techniques pioneered in Maine. For more information about Project Puffin, click here.
The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund also supports the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Fla., an urban environmental nature center that specializes in the rescue, medical care, rehabilitation and release of sick, injured and orphaned birds of prey. More than 40 percent of the incoming birds are returned to the wild. Those animals that cannot be released due to injuries are used in the Center's conservation education programs.
Partner perspectives: "It takes time, dollars and dedication to restore wild animal populations." Said Dr. Stephen Kress, vice-president for bird conservation of the National Audubon |
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