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SeaWorld San Diego to close Manatee Rescue

By Robert Niles
Published: January 18, 2010 at 12:57 PM
SeaWorld San Diego confirmed today that it will be closing its Manatee Rescue exhibit.

SeaWorld San Diego's Manatee Rescue

In a post of its Facebook page SeaWorld noted that it does not own the manatees that live at the park - they remain under the custody of the US Fish & Wildlife Service. And the Service has asked SeaWorld to transfer the manatees to Florida.

One of the San Diego manatees, Webster, has made the move already, in preparation for release back into the wild. The other two manatees at the park, Eddie and Vail, will be moved at a later - as yet announced - date. They will not be released back into the wild, but when they leave San Diego the Manatee Rescue exhibit will close.

No word yet on what will take its place.

Readers' Opinions

From Anthony Murphy on January 18, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Well, at least they are going to FL which has a very impressive Manatee rescue area
From Manny Barron on January 18, 2010 at 7:12 PM
Noooooo! The Manatee Rescue exhibit in SW-San Diego was one of the most calming and informative exhibits in the park. I always enjoyed spending some time there. It's just sad to see the exhibit go. As for the replacement, it's not that big of a space so hopefully they put another exhibit and don't just ignore the space left.
From 65.201.156.98 on January 19, 2010 at 9:06 AM
If they are not going to be released back into the wild, is it appropriate to move them? Isn't that stressful for the Manatees?

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