Why SeaWorld Means So Much
“They’re called claspers. That’s how you tell it’s a boy shark.”
That’s what I said to my parents, who looked at the SeaWorld staff member standing by us in the Shark Encounter area. “Well, she’s right!” the staff member smiled at me.
I would have been 10, maybe 11, when this happened. It would have been my 20th or so trip to SeaWorld Orlando since my parents started making the long trek there from Ontario, Canada every winter. I was generally a pretty good kid, but there was one thing I would never budge on: we HAD to time our trips to Florida so that I could get to SeaWorld within 24 hours of our arrival, or I would NOT be a happy camper.
I’ve always loved animals. I credit this to my parents taking me to our ‘local’ zoo in Toronto regularly since I was a toddler. However, I grew up completely ‘landlocked’. We also had no real aquarium anywhere nearby, and I never got the chance to see the ocean until we started traveling to Florida. It was at SeaWorld where I first got to see marine animals, and I have been hooked ever since. Sure, I watched a ton of nature documentaries as a child – they were one of the only things I really liked to watch- but seeing these animals in person, getting the opportunity to get up close, just did something to me.
My love for animals has continued into my adult life. I pursued a degree in biology, and became a registered veterinary technician. I recently became one of the aquatic biologists/animal care technicians for my university. I now am involved with research into things like the conservation of amphibians, environmental toxicology, as well as the captive husbandry of many aquatic animals, and even reptiles.
Earlier this year, I got the opportunity to visit SeaWorld Orlando again for the first time in about 20 years. I was almost overcome with emotion- so many good memories, so many times when I was enthralled by what I was seeing. A staff member was taking questions in the Manta Aquarium area, where I was taking photos. I choked out a thank you – I told her what work I do today, and that going to SeaWorld all those years ago had a huge impact on me, and I really meant it. I wish I could have told every staff member. I would assume they do hear it from time to time, though. I know I’m not the only one like me out there.
If a place like SeaWorld inspires even a tiny fraction of the visitors that go through their gates, they will have done something very good for our planet. Here’s to another 50 years of inspiring the public, SeaWorld!
