Construction is underway on a new world-class marine wildlife hospital at Sea World on Australia's Gold Coast.
The new Sea World Foundation Wildlife Hospital is expected to open next year and will serve as the Southern Hemisphere's first facility of its kind.
It will provide specialist care for sick and injured marine wildlife, including dolphins, whales, dugongs, rays, turtles, seabirds and sharks.
Purpose-built for rapid rescue and rehabilitation, the new facility will feature specialist equipment to treat larger marine mammals.
Queensland’s environment minister Andrew Powell said: “Shovels are in the ground at Sea World, with work underway on a world-class marine wildlife hospital that will give more sick and injured wildlife the specialist care they need."
As well as caring for marine wildlife, the hospital will give Sea World visitors the opportunity to see marine conservation and rehabilitation for themselves.
"This is a win for wildlife and a win for Queensland, supporting wildlife rehabilitation while creating new education opportunities and showcasing our conservation efforts to millions of visitors each year," Powell added.
Sea World is owned by Australia-based theme park operator Village Roadshow Group.
The new Sea World Foundation Wildlife Hospital is expected to open next year on the Gold CoastSea World Foundation
Village Roadshow Group's CEO Clark Kirby said: "For more than 30 years, Sea World has been at the forefront of marine rescue and rehabilitation efforts around Australia, and this project will allow our team to have an even greater impact on Australian marine life.
“The state-of-the-art facility will allow our specialised veterinary and marine animal experts to help more animals and educate the millions of guests who visit Sea World on conservation efforts to minimise impacts on the environment."
He added: “We have already rescued hundreds of marine animals this year, ranging from whales, dolphins, dugongs, turtles, seabirds and sea snakes, and with marine wildlife being under more threat than before, this new facility will greatly expand our capabilities.”
