Miral and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced the opening of Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the first dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center in the region. The 8,602-square-meter (92,600-square-foot) center, is located on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island and will be a key contributor to marine-life conservation in both the UAE and the wider region by conducting integrated research, rescue, rehabilitation, return and education programs.
Attended by UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, HE Mariam Al Mheiri; Chairman of Miral HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak; and a number of UAE officials and senior representatives from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, the center’s opening is a commitment to the UAE’s declaration of 2023 as the Year of Sustainability. The center’s efforts will aim to improve the public’s knowledge and commitment to the conservation of the region’s marine wildlife, habitats and ecosystems, leveraging the experience and knowledge gained from SeaWorld’s nearly 60 years of marine animal care, rescue, rehabilitation and conservation to the region.
Chairman of Miral, His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, commented on this milestone, saying, “We are very proud to begin 2023, the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, with opening the first dedicated marine research and rescue center in the region, Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue. This is a cornerstone in the emirate’s journey of education and conservation, inspiring the next generation of marine scientists to learn more about Abu Dhabi’s impactful long-term vision of protecting our marine wildlife and their habitats. Together with SeaWorld, we will be pushing the limits of science and conservation to become the foremost knowledge hub for marine scientists, not only in the UAE, but also in the wider region.”
He continued, “With this country’s deep ties to the sea, today’s inauguration is the perfect embodiment of the Year of Sustainability’s theme ‘Today for Tomorrow,’ and is our commitment to forging a sustainable future for our future generations.”
Led by a team of dedicated marine scientists, zoologists and subject matter experts in research, rescue and animal care, the center will play an important role in research and conservation efforts in the region. The center’s Research team will conduct fundamental and applied studies focusing on the marine ecology of the Arabian Gulf covering topics such as marine biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, sensitive wildlife conservation, critical habitats restoration, fisheries, pollution and wildlife health.
Chairman of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Scott Ross, said “We are very proud of our partnership with Miral in bringing this first-of-its-kind center to the UAE. Today’s inauguration is many years in the making and we cannot be more excited to make this official announcement and continue our work together to advance the conservation of the region’s amazing and extraordinarily diverse marine life. For nearly 60 years, SeaWorld has maintained its unwavering mission and steadfast commitment to protecting marine animals and their ecosystems and inspiring others to act and care for marine life. Extending this legacy here in the UAE is important for global conservation and is consistent with the UAE and wider region’s tradition of honoring the importance of the sea.”
Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue is the newest SeaWorld Research and Rescue center, and the first outside of the U.S. The center’s inauguration makes it part of a global network and leverages the experience and knowledge gained from SeaWorld’s nearly 60 years of marine animal care, rescue, rehabilitation and conservation to the region. SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world and its Rescue teams are on-call 365 days a year to respond to animals in need. Since 1965, SeaWorld has rescued more than 40,000 animals, and Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue aims to pioneer a marine animal rescue network supporting animals in need in the UAE as well as the wider region.
