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SeaWorld Abu Dhabi

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Amusement park in the United Arab Emirates

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi logo
24°29′8.405″N 54°37′6.726″E / 24.48566806°N 54.61853500°E / 24.48566806; 54.61853500
Date openingMay 23, 2023; 18 months ago (May 23, 2023)
LocationYas Island
Floor space183,000 square metres (1,970,000 sq ft)
OwnerMiral Asset Management
Websitehttps://www.seaworldabudhabi.com/

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a marine life theme park and animal researching, rescue & rehabilitation center that opened on May 23, 2023, on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is the first SeaWorld park outside of the United States and the first park without orcas. The Abu Dhabi–based company Miral Asset Management is the owner and operator of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi under a license from United Parks & Resorts.

History

In 2007, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced a proposed theme park in Dubai, including a manmade island shaped like an Orca hosting Busch Gardens, Aquatica, and SeaWorld. The project was soon cancelled due to the 2007–2008 financial crisis.

On December 13, 2016, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced a new partnership with Miral to bring SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to Yas Island. The park would be situated near the Island's other attractions such as Ferrari World. SeaWorld licensed the brand to Miral who fully funded the project. The $1.2 billion venture with state-owned developer Miral features the world’s largest aquarium and a cylindrical LED screen. On October 5, 2020, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi was "64% finished" and would finish construction in 2022. By September 2022, it was announced that the park was 90% completed and set to open in 2023.

In 2023, Miral announced the opening of Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center. In February 2023, the park received three captive walruses from parks in Canada. The park opened on May 23, 2023.

Attractions

The park features eight marine environments or so-called "realms" that are home to immersive experiences and interactive exhibits, with more than 15 rides, 13 retail options, and 17 dining options. In addition, the park hosts 150 species of marine animals, who live in environments that replicate their natural habitats. The eight realms include:

  • One Ocean: This realm serves as the park's hub and resembles the bottom of the ocean. It includes a 360-degree screen and hosts three shows: the One Epic Ocean spectacular, Ocean Stories, and Immersive Media.
  • Abu Dhabi Ocean: The area serves as the first realm and the park's exit. It features Arabian architecture and animals native to the Persian Gulf. There are four pools where visitors can touch or feed stingrays and starfish.
  • Rocky Point: Themed after the North American Pacific Northwest, the realm includes California sea lions and harbor seals. It also includes an amphitheater that houses sea lion shows.
  • MicroOcean: Described as an "underwater playground", this realm, aimed at children, features two play areas and four rides including the Eel Racer roller coaster, the Jelly Plunge drop tower, the Turtle Twist spinner ride, and the OctoZoom Rockin' Tug ride.
  • Tropical Ocean: Features bottlenose dolphins, Caribbean flamingoes, macaws, and other animals native to the tropical environment. It also features the Manta launched coaster.
  • Arctic: The animals included in this realm are walrus, sea otters, and puffins. This realm also features the Hypersphere 360°, the world's first dome ride theater.
  • Antarctica: This icy realm includes many species of penguin such as king, Adélie, gentoo, Magellanic, rockhopper, macaroni and chinstrap.
  • Endless Ocean: This realm features the world’s largest multi-species aquarium, with 6.6 million saltwater gallons and 1,800 species including sharks and rays.

Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue

Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue was opened in February 2023 to rescue injured, unwell and orphaned marine animals in the Persian Gulf. The only one of its kind in the region, the center focuses on rehabilitating and returning healthy animals to their natural habitats. It also seeks to educate the public about conserving the UAE’s marine wildlife and ecosystems.

The 8,602 square metres (92,590 sq ft) facility is spearheaded by marine scientists, zoologists, trained rescue personnel and animal care experts with a special emphasis on marine biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, sensitive wildlife conservation, critical habitats restoration, fisheries, pollution and wildlife health. Globally, SeaWorld has rescued and rehabilitated 40,000 marine animals since 1965.

Within the research center are three dry labs, a wet lab, an aquaculture facility and rescue pools for big and small marine creatures, supported by a fleet of rescue vehicles (including rescue boats) and a veterinary hospital on site.

References

  1. "UAE: Mega theme park with world's largest aquarium announces opening date". Zawya (Khaleej Times).
  2. Gillett, Katy. "SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to open in 2023". The National UAE.
  3. Niles, Robert. "SeaWorld announces plans for a park in Abu Dhabi". Theme Park Insider.
  4. Alkhalisi, Zahra. "SeaWorld to open first park without killer whales". CNN Business.
  5. "UAE group to develop gen-next marine life theme park". Trade Arabia. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  6. Pedicini, Sandra. "SeaWorld announces new theme park in the Middle East, with no orcas". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  7. "A decade after outcry, SeaWorld launches orca-free park in UAE, its first venture outside the US". AP News. June 16, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  8. "SEE: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi on track for 2022 completion". WFTV. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  9. "SeaWorld Abu Dhabi to open next year". Khaleej Times.
  10. "Miral Announces the opening of Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, as the MENA Region's First Dedicated Marine Research and Rescue Center". Miral. February 9, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  11. Casey, Liam (March 2, 2023). "Last captive walruses in Canada moved to new SeaWorld in Abu Dhabi". The Record. The Canadian Press. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  12. Mitchell, Bea (September 14, 2022). "Miral announces SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is opening in 2023 on Yas Island". blooloop.com.
  13. "First Ever Dome Ride Theater". Attraktion.
  14. "Yas SeaWorld's cutting-edge research and rescue centre now open in Abu Dhabi". Arabian Business.
  15. "Miral launches Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Abu Dhabi centre Yas Island, Abu Dhabi". Abu Dhabi Media Office.
  16. "ENVIRONMENT AGENCY – ABU DHABI AND MIRAL SIGN MOU TO ENHANCE MARINE CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH THROUGH YAS SEAWORLD® RESEARCH & RESCUE YAS ISLAND, ABU DHABI".
  17. Kumar, Ashwani. "UAE: Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue opens in Abu Dhabi, first outside the US". Khaleej Times.
  18. "With over 41,000 Rescues, SeaWorld Orlando continues our company's commitment to rescuing and caring for marine animals".
  19. "SeaWorld Surpasses 40,000 Animal Rescues Underscoring the Ongoing Need to Help Sick, Injured and Orphaned Animals".
  20. "Abu Dhabi opens new marine research and rescue centre on Yas Island". Gulf News.
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