Photo Credit: Krista | www.ladybugblog.com

This weekend we said farewell to the Shamu Show at Sea World San Diego. The One Ocean® show that has been at Sea World since 2011 had its last performance on Sunday, January 8, 2017, marking the end of an era. Starting in summer 2017, the all new “Orca Encounter” will debut, with a new way to experience the orcas at Sea World San Diego. In the interim, guests will still be able to see the orcas up-close in a temporary setting adjacent to Shamu Stadium.

Sea World’s decision to end the Shamu Show has been bittersweet for me. While I understand that there are many who welcome this change – and even say this modification doesn’t go far enough – I am feeling nostalgic that the era of theatrical animal shows at Sea World is coming to a close. In the upcoming years, similar changes will be occurring to the Dolphin Show at Sea World San Diego, and at Sea World Orlando and Sea World San Antonio.

From its beginning, Sea World’s mission has been to provide “up-close animal encounters, educational attractions” that are “designed to inspire guests of all ages to celebrate, connect with and care for the natural world around them.” When Sea World San Diego opened in 1964, it was “originally planned as an underwater restaurant.” However, the “concept grew into a marine zoological park on 21 acres along the shore of Mission Bay in San Diego.”

Growing up, my family would visit Sea World on occasion and the Shamu Show was always the highlight of our visits. I must confess, however, that I never sat in the “soak zone”! Now that I live within two miles of Sea World, my family and I visit often – especially during the special events such as Lunar New Year, Magic Weekends, Halloween Spooktacular, and Sea World’s Christmas Celebration.

So, does Sea World still have a place as an entertainment and education venue today? My answer is, YES! I know first-hand that Sea World has inspired children, and adults, to learn more about the world we live in, and especially the ocean and its inhabitants. The day camps and school trips, offered at Sea World, are for some campers and students their first experiences to learn about animals like dolphins, penguins, polar bears, and orca whales. From these first encounters, many of them are inspired to embark on careers in conservation, science, and/or medicine.

Additionally, Sea World’s Rescue and Animal Care teams have provided important services to more than 29,000 ill, injured, and orphaned animals over the past five decades. If Sea World was not part of the San Diego community, I’m not sure who people would call when injured sea animals or coastal birds, like brown pelicans, need medical aid and rehabilitation. The Sea World Rescue Team is on call 24/7 and 365 days of the year. SeaWorldCares.com features stories of the inspiring animal rescues that Sea World has been part of for over 50 years.

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So even though we said farewell to the One Ocean® show and the theatrical killer whale shows this weekend, the orcas will remain and will continue to be an inspiration for those who come to see them. Check out Sea World’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds for the latest information. If you are also feeling nostalgic, a DVD of the One Ocean® show is available for purchase as Sea World and the music from the show can be downloaded on Amazon.com, iTunes, and Google Play. In the coming months and years, my family and I will continue to visit Sea World and are curious about the new offerings planned.

How do you feel about the Shamu Shows ending at Sea World San Diego? What are some of your favorite Sea World memories?

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