ORLANDO, Fla.,
June 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a leading theme park and
entertainment company, today released its 2016 Corporate
Responsibility Report. The report provides an overview of the
company's everyday operations that support its mission to provide
experiences that matter, inspiring people to protect animals and
the wild wonders of our world.
The inaugural report showcases the actions SeaWorld is taking to
ensure the health and well-being of the animals in its care, rescue
and protect animals in the wild, minimize the environmental impact
of its operations and create a strong culture where employees are
engaged and connected to the company's mission.
"People want to know that they are supporting companies
and causes they believe in," said Joel
Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld
Entertainment, Inc. "We are demonstrating that our parks can be fun
and thrilling while also being educational and inspirational. When
our guests visit one of our parks, we want them to know they are
helping support the rescue of thousands of animals every year, as
well as ongoing research and conservation efforts around the
world."
Highlights from SeaWorld's 2016 Corporate Responsibility
Report include:
- SeaWorld is a world leader in animal rescue, having
rescued and rehabilitated more than 2,000 animals in 2016 alone.
The company recently announced a major milestone in 2017 – over
30,000 ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned animal rescues since the
company was founded.
- Caring for imperiled animals has always been a core value
of SeaWorld. Each year, the company dedicates its experienced
animal care personnel, including veterinarians, trainers and
specialists, to fulfill the company's purpose. This commitment,
together with materials, facilities and equipment, has been valued
at approximately $10M
annually.
- In addition to this in-kind support, in 2016 SeaWorld
provided $3.5M in cash donations to
conservation organizations and local community nonprofit
organizations. SeaWorld has also supported the SeaWorld & Busch
Gardens Conservation Fund since its founding in 2003. In 2016, the
fund granted $1.6M in support for
wildlife research, habitat protection, animal rescue and
conservation projects around the world, bringing the total granted
by the Fund since it began to more than $14M. In fact, the Fund has supported over 1,100
projects in 75 countries and on all 7 continents.
- All three SeaWorld parks (Orlando, San
Diego and San Antonio),
Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are accredited members
of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), reflecting
SeaWorld's commitment to applying world-class standards of animal
care.
- SeaWorld's commitment to conservation includes efforts to
reduce the environmental footprint of its operations. Over the last
three years, SeaWorld's parks have improved their rate of recycling
by 20% and reduced their energy usage by approximately
4%.
- Employees of SeaWorld are engaged and committed to the
company's purpose and mission. Nearly 90% of SeaWorld's employees
stated they understood and believed in the company's core
purpose.
- Half of SeaWorld's leaders are women and 43% of its
leaders are minorities, a reflection of SeaWorld's commitment to
create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the
millions of guests who visit its parks every year.
"This first Corporate Responsibility Report is an
important step in SeaWorld's commitment to be open, transparent and
proactive in how we engage and communicate on key issues," said
Manby. "We hope it will provide a platform for ongoing conversation
and feedback from our stakeholders."
Visit www.SeaWorldEntertainment.com
to read the full report.
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is a leading theme park
and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and
inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our
world. The company is one of the world's foremost zoological
organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training,
husbandry and veterinary care. The company also rescues and
rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured,
orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild.
The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 30,000
animals in need over the last 50 years.
The company owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized
brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens® and Sea
Rescue®. Over its more than 50-year history, the company
has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional
theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States. The company's theme parks
feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with
broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a
strong value proposition for its guests.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned
subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded
company. Visit www.SeaWorldEntertainment.com
for more information.
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SOURCE SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.