Miral and SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. announced yesterday their partnership to develop SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, a first-of its-kind marine life themed park on Yas Island. This next generation SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will also include the United Arab Emirates’ (“UAE”) first dedicated marine life research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre with world-class facilities and resources for the care and conservation of local marine life. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will be the first new SeaWorld without orcas, and will integrate up-close animal experiences, mega attractions and a world class aquarium, bringing the latest technology in visitor engagement.
The partnership brings together Miral’s expertise in developing Yas Island’s portfolio of destinations with SeaWorld’s 50-plus years of theme park, veterinary medicine, marine science and zoological practice and experience.
Joel Manby, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld said: “We are excited to announce our first international expansion and our partnership with Miral as we design a next generation SeaWorld that engages, educates and inspires, a blueprint brought to life in Abu Dhabi. This new park, combined with a dedicated research, rescue, rehabilitation and return facility focused on marine life care and conservation, continues SeaWorld’s legacy of marine life rescue that spans more than 50 years. This project presents an opportunity for collaboration and greater understanding of how species have adapted to the region’s unique marine environment, and to inspire the next generation of visitors, conservationists and animal care experts.”
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s research, rescue, rehabilitation and return centre on Yas Island will be the first of its kind in the country, providing a state-of-the-art environment for local and global researchers, scientists and marine conservationists to assist them to better understand and learn from the region’s marine life habitats and conditions. Planned to open ahead of the marine life themed park, the facility will provide an important resource for UAE nationals and residents looking to develop or enhance expertise in marine life sciences and will serve as a hub for collaboration with local and international environmental organisations and projects.
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is set to open by 2022, and will complement Miral’s Yas Island destination portfolio of four themed parks, which includes Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and opening in 2018 the recently announced Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Clymb. Yas Island also offers a wide range of sporting and entertainment experiences that include Yas Marina Circuit, seven hotels, a year-round calendar of events, a live performance and concert arena, an 18-hole championship golf course, a marina, a beach and the increasingly popular shopping destination, Yas Mall.
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