Orlando, FL, USA — For nearly five decades SeaWorld® has connected guests to the natural world through innovative animal habitats and inspiring shows. With the launch of AnimalVision™, 24/7, on-habitat cameras stream footage to customized interactive websites, allowing visitors to create a connection right from the comfort of their own home at www.AnimalVision.com .
Fans can now enjoy the antics of penguins racing through the water or waddling around in their new 30-degree habitat at Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, SeaWorld Orlando’s newest attraction. Combining innovative ride technology and up-close animal encounters, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin takes guests on an epic voyage to the bottom of the world where they can get up-close to a colony of nearly 250 penguins.
In addition, fans can tune in to see a school of stingrays gliding past their screen from Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark® in San Antonio, and check out sea turtles, some of the most graceful animals, from SeaWorld San Diego’s Turtle Reef®.
“AnimalVision allows our guests and fans to deepen their connection with animals. For some guests, being able to see these remarkable animals at the park and then continuing that voyage of exploration at home serves as a reminder about the important role we all play in helping these animals. For those planning a park visit, seeing our animals up-close will get families excited about visiting in person,” said Anne Fischer, director of interactive marketing for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
Animal habitat cameras have proven to be popular for SeaWorld and animal fans alike. In 2012 during a six-week partnership with Discovery Channel, fans across the country spent an astounding 1.5 million hours watching penguins in SeaWorld San Diego Penguin Encounter® via a streaming camera feed.
Building on that success, AnimalVision provides animal camera fans with an interactive experience that goes beyond simply watching the animals demonstrating their natural behaviors. The new platform will feature:
- Video web portal designed to be viewed from any computer, smartphone or tablet
- The ability to take, share and save photos of their favorite video moment
- Live Twitter feeds to share comments with other AnimalVision viewers and interactive “ask the experts” sessions with animal trainers and zoological staff
- Education and conservation information and facts about each featured species
- Downloadable games
- Additional animal species will be showcased in the near future
Each of the six cameras is high definition for the best viewing experience possible, including multiple viewpoints of the habitats. The cameras at SeaWorld Orlando’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin™, show four different species of penguins – gentoo, rockhopper, Adelie and King — both darting through the water and above water on the ice. At Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark® in San Antonio, more than 200 stingrays and tropical fish, including various species of angel, tang and butterfly fish, are seen from shallow and deep underwater viewpoints. Turtle Reef® at SeaWorld San Diego features more than 40 threatened green sea turtles ranging in age from four to 50 years old with a view into the 280,000-gallon aquarium they call home.
