Sea Life, the aquarium brand owned by Merlin Entertainments issues response to negative press coverage in the last week
Claims had been made by the BBC about SEA LIFE animal mortality rates. In a video added to the Sea Life website , Sea Life Chief Ambassador James Burleigh addresses these reports directly.
In the release on the Sea Life press page, the company also states that, “We take an active role in promoting conservation, playing a leading part in rescue and rehabilitation, breeding select species at our facilities and educating the millions of people who visit our attractions”.
Operating over forty aquariums worldwide, Sea Life is owned by Merlin Entertainments. Merlin is the world’s second biggest attractions operator after Disney. Other key attractions and brands in its portfolio include Madame Tussauds, the Legoland theme parks, the Dungeons and Thorpe Park.
The Sea Life Trust
Merlin has always viewed Sea Life’s role in education and promoting conservation as a vital part of its DNA. To this end it set up The Sea Life Trust, a registered charity which campaigns to protect the marine environment. The Trust strives to educate the public about issues concerning the welfare of marine life. For example it has worked closely with The Shark Trust and the Whale and Marine Mammal Conservation Society. In addition, it has worked on many other projects including ones focussed on marine litter and turtle conservation. It is also funding ground-breaking research in helping eradicate the use of cyanide in fish collection. This is a major issue in Asia where fish are taken for the aquarium trade.
The statement continues, “We place the highest priority on the welfare of the animals at our centres, which are supported by experienced animal care teams, marine biologists and world-renowned veterinary consultants. Our centres comply with all the laws and regulations under the Zoo Licencing Act, and we have a strong track record in animal husbandry.”
