Marine theme park
A marine theme park is a dolphinarium that has been expanded to a commercial theme park , which not only keeps dolphins but also other whales and displays them, and also includes attractions from amusement parks . Marine theme parks are mostly located in the USA, Australia, but also in France ( Marineland ). The best-known chain of marine theme parks is Sea World, with facilities in Florida , California, and Texas . The keeping of dolphins and other whales, especially killer whales and beluga whales, is very controversial due to the poor keeping conditions.
List of marine theme parks
Closed marine theme parks
Some marine theme parks have now been closed.
- Marineland of the Pacific
The Marineland of the Pacific on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles opened in 1954 and closed in 1987. Various films, such as the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, were shot here later.
- Marineland of New Zealand
Marineland of New Zealand in the city of Napier, New Zealand opened in 1965 and closed in September 2008 after the last remaining dolphin died on September 11, 2008.
- SeaWorld Aurora, Ohio
There was another Seaworld in Aurora in the USA until 2001. It was sold to Six Flags, an amusement park chain, in January 2001. In 2004 the park was sold to Cedar Fair . The park has now been converted into a water park and is called Wildwater Kingdom.
Accidents in marine theme parks
- Tilikum
Tilikum is a male killer whale found at Seaworld Orlando, USA. He has caused numerous accidents so far.
In 1991, shortly before the birth of Tilikum's first offspring, an incident occurred in which one of Tilikum's coaches was killed. The trainer slipped on the edge of the pool and fell into the water. Tilikum and the two females kept pulling her under water until the woman drowned.
On July 6, 1999, a dead person was found in Tilikum's basin. The man was hiding in the park that evening when the park was closed. He died of hypothermia in the water. But he was also bitten by the orca tilikum.
On February 24, 2010, Tilikum killed trainer Dawn Brancheau . Brancheau was 40 years old. According to Seaworld, she was one of the most experienced trainers.
- Accident in Loro Parque
On December 24, 2009, orca trainer Alexis Martinez, aged 29, was pulled onto the pelvic floor by whale keto during a rehearsal for a Christmas show. He was driven to the hospital as soon as possible. However, the man passed away. He drowned in the pool of water.