SeaWorld San Diego – Rescue & Rehabilitation Program

Founded in 1964, SeaWorld San Diego launched its first animal rescue team the same year and operates one of the longest-running marine mammal rescue programs in the United States. Since its inception, the team has rescued thousands of stranded marine mammals, including seals, sea lions, dolphins, and endangered species like the Guadalupe fur seal. The program is part of NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, responding to animals in distress across more than 100 miles of California coastline.

SeaWorld’s rescue crew is on call year-round, ready to assist animals that are orphaned, injured, or entangled. Their specialists have developed custom feeding tools, prosthetics, and even “animal wetsuits” to aid in rehabilitation. The park is especially active during Unusual Mortality Events, such as the 2015 crisis when it cared for 1,446 stranded marine mammals, including 990 California sea lions. SeaWorld collaborates with federal agencies and contributes to environmental stewardship through initiatives like the Oiled Wildlife Care Center, formed in 2000.

While SeaWorld has faced criticism over its captive cetacean programs, its rescue and rehabilitation efforts are widely recognized by conservation authorities. The organization’s work with seals and sea lions is distinct from its entertainment operations and plays a vital role in marine mammal welfare on the West Coast.