PASADENA, California — SeaWorld’s “Sea of Surprises” float won the prestigious President’s Award at the 125th annual Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. This award is presented to the float with the “Most Effective Floral Use and Presentation.”
The 55-foot-long float was a festive tribute to SeaWorld’s 50th celebration kicking off this year, and featured some of the park’s most popular animals. Hundreds of thousands of flowers and natural materials made up the colorful reefs, waves, coral and sea life displayed on the float. SeaWorld San Diego employees donated time to work alongside float builders and help apply live flowers.
An inspiring new song debuted on the float – SeaWorld’s new theme song “Beneath the Blue.” This song will be heard during special occasions and as part of park background music in the coming year.
Members of SeaWorld’s Animal Care teams proudly rode the float, including national Animal Ambassador Julie Scardina, and two team members from Orlando – Pedro Ramos-Navarrete and Jon Peterson – who will be involved in Orlando’s newest event, Wild Days, starting Jan. 11. Photo Credit: SeaWorld
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I love Sea World and aquariums.But, a killer whale is not a fish, it's a mammal like you and me. It breathes air, not water.Unike fish, killer whales "think" and communicate same as you and me. An average adult killer whale weighs 12,000 pounds or as much as four Buicks.It is not a pet. No fishtank is a suitable habitat for a killer whale, it becomes a tuna can prison.Killer whales have temendous skill and intelligence. They don't kill things by mistake, including their captors. This behavior is a message. It's time to set them free. Al Schrader
This seems very strange to me. One can only assume that either the President hasn't watched Blackfish, or has watched it and been 'persuaded' that the film is perhaps in some way fictional rather than a documentary. Either way, SeaWorld certainly don't merit any recognition for their float which in reality was simply a moving advertisement for using captive whales and dolphins to make profits.Perhaps when it stops keeping whales and dolphins in captivity as entertainment, some sort of award might be forthcoming from the marine conservation and activist camps. Until then, the 2014 award for giving the oddest award to anyone or anything surely goes to the President of the Rose Parade!
I say do not be so fast to condemn. When we have an animal or fish in trouble here in Florida we call Sea World!!!
I love Sea World and aquariums.But, a killer whale is not a fish, it's a mammal like you and me. It breathes air, not water.Unike fish, killer whales "think" and communicate same as you and me. An average adult killer whale weighs 12,000 pounds or as much as four Buicks.It is not a pet. No fishtank is a suitable habitat for a killer whale, it becomes a tuna can prison.Killer whales have temendous skill and intelligence. They don't kill things by mistake, including their captors. This behavior is a message. It's time to set them free. Al Schrader
This seems very strange to me. One can only assume that either the President hasn't watched Blackfish, or has watched it and been 'persuaded' that the film is perhaps in some way fictional rather than a documentary. Either way, SeaWorld certainly don't merit any recognition for their float which in reality was simply a moving advertisement for using captive whales and dolphins to make profits.Perhaps when it stops keeping whales and dolphins in captivity as entertainment, some sort of award might be forthcoming from the marine conservation and activist camps. Until then, the 2014 award for giving the oddest award to anyone or anything surely goes to the President of the Rose Parade!
I say do not be so fast to condemn. When we have an animal or fish in trouble here in Florida we call Sea World!!!