SeaWorld San Diego is embracing a delightful season of new beginnings as the theme park showcases a remarkable baby boom, featuring various adorable arrivals across its attractions.
Among the highlights are newborn sharks, king penguin chicks, flamingo chicks, a southern sea otter pup, and more, all reflecting the park’s dedication to animal care, rescue, and conservation efforts.
Eric Otjen, the vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Diego, expressed joy over the new arrivals, stating, “This season’s baby boom is a joyful reminder of the important work happening every day behind the scenes.”
He emphasized that each new addition represents not only a new life but also a chance for park-goers to connect with nature and learn about the species being protected through the park’s initiatives.
One of the more exciting additions is two baby brown-banded bamboo sharks, now residents of SeaWorld’s Shark Encounter.
These pups reside in a newly designed aquatic system located in the behind-the-scenes lab of the Shark Encounter and Turtle Reef aquariums.
Visitors have the opportunity to glimpse these remarkable creatures during the Turtle Up-Close Tour, designed to highlight SeaWorld’s commitment to the care and conservation of the near-threatened brown-banded bamboo shark.
Adding to the excitement are three new king penguin chicks that joined the park’s existing colony of over 200 birds.
Hatched in February and April, these chicks bring the total count of king penguins at the park to 20.
Park-goers can observe these adorable birds at the Penguin Encounter or get a more intimate experience during the Ultimate On-Ice Penguin Experience.
In addition, SeaWorld has welcomed three flamingo chicks, which can be spotted nestled beneath their parents on mud mounds built by the flamingos.
According to park officials, these fluffy newcomers will soon begin walking and are expected to reach their full size by the end of summer.
Once the chicks start to explore their environment, visitors will be able to interact with the flock through the Flamingo Up-Close Encounter experience.
Furthermore, the park has introduced Jane, a 4-month-old southern sea otter pup who was rescued in Monterey, California.
Found alone at just 2.5 weeks old, Jane was stabilized at the Monterey Bay Aquarium before being transferred to SeaWorld.
Designated as non-releasable by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Jane is gradually bonding with the otter group, including Bennett, another rescued pup who has assumed the protective role of an older brother.
Jane is anticipated to join the main Wild Arctic habitat later this summer, giving visitors the chance to witness all of SeaWorld’s rescued sea otters up close during the Sea Otter Up-Close Encounter.
Lastly, SeaWorld has also celebrated the birth of two bottlenose dolphin calves, born to first-time mothers Corona and Coco.
Named Jupiter and Phin, these calves represent the latest additions to a multigenerational dolphin pod.
While the animal care team carefully monitors Jupiter and Phin, visitors can follow the journeys of rescued calves Cardiff and Chance at Dolphin Stadium.
image source from：patch
