SeaWorld San Antonio Blog » Meet My Friend…

Animal Connections: Meet Chloe the Barred Owl!

KellyMorales — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:48:13 +0000

Meet Chloe the barred owl at the Animal Connections Center

This week we would like to introduce you to Chloe the barred owl. Chloe came to us from our sister park, Discovery Cove.

Chloe was originally found in a school yard eating from students during lunch. She would land on edge of the tables and wait for food. Because of this behavior, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Orlando felt she was probably a pet that had escaped or been released and they collected her.

It was believed that Chloe had imprinted on humans. Soon after many animals are born, they imprint on their caretakers. Imprinting is a critical behavior that establishes a bond between young animals and their parents. If an animal, such as an owl chick, is cared for and raised by humans at a very young age, it will no longer recognize itself as an owl, and will continue to seek socialization from humans. A bird of prey with this behavior is considered non-releasable because their feeding behaviors are not safe in their natural environment. As a result, Chloe found a home at Discovery Cove.

Barred Owls like Chloe are medium-sized, gray-brown, and they are streaked with white side-to-side barring on the chest and up-and-down barring on the belly. Their eyes are brown, and the beak is yellow and almost covered by feathers. They have a long tail, and there are no differences in coloration between males and females.

Owls are nocturnal hunters, and prey mostly on small rodents. Most owls have unique, comb-like feathers that allow for silent flight. The leading edge is “fringed” so that the feathers, when moving, do not make noise when rubbing together. It is rare for the prey to hear an owl swooping in.

Owls have excellent vision. Their eyes look forward in a fixed position and cannot move from side to side, as the human eye can. In order to see peripherally, the owl must turn its entire head. It is a myth that owls can turn their head all the way around. Owls have 14 neck vertebrae, allowing them to move their head 270 degrees.

Although these birds have excellent eyesight, they are also capable of catching prey using only their sense of hearing. Owl ears are located one higher than the other, increasing sound reception. During flight, the left ear captures sounds below while the right ear focuses on sounds from above. In addition, their face feathers create a disc, which works to trap and focus sound.

Chloe's face feathers create a disc that trap and focus sound

As predators, owls play an important role in the environment by controlling small animal populations. Because mammals are a primary prey item, this can be especially beneficial to humans, reducing the amount of food lost each year to rodents.

If you would like to visit with Chloe, or maybe even take a photo with her, you can meet her at the Animal Connections Conservation Center along with our other Animal Ambassadors. For information about other birds of prey species, visit this link on our ANIMALS website.

Check Out These Cool Chicks! Penguins at SeaWorld Are Breeding

DeandraVilla — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:02:35 +0000

This holiday season there will be new exciting additions in the Penguin Encounter at SeaWorld San Antonio. Penguin breeding season began in September and is now in full swing. I was curious myself to see how the penguins were doing so I took a visit to the Penguin Encounter and spoke with Linda Weisenmiller, an aviculturist who specializes in birds. We bundled up and went into the habitat where I was able to ask her all about the expected penguin chicks.

A pair of Rockhopper penguins pick their spot in the rookery. They will return to this nest site every year to breed.

What kind of penguins breed at the park?

All the cold weather penguins at the park breed, including the King, Gentoo, Chinstrap, and Rockhopper penguins. In the wild, penguins gather small rocks to make a nest, called rookeries, to protect their eggs. When breeding season began, the Penguin Encounter team hauled away snow and provided rocks for the penguins to make their nest. We brought in five tons of rocks for the penguins to comfortably nest.

How do the penguins pick their nest site and mate?

Penguins typically return to the same nest site and mate with the same partner each year. For the most part they are monogamous partners. King penguins are the only exception, they have been known to nest on different sites and choose different mates each year.

This expecting mother will see her baby chick by early next year.

What is the incubation period like here in at the habitat?

The incubation period for the chicks depends on the species of penguin, the larger the penguin the longer the incubation. For example, the Gentoo penguins take on average 36 days to hatch, while the King penguins can take up to 55 days. The penguins lay two eggs each year, except the King penguin, who only lay one. Both the mother and father take responsibility during incubation, sharing the duty.

When can we expect the penguin chicks to hatch?

The first chicks are expected to hatch in December and they will continue to hatch into the new year. This is a very exciting time for the habitat, each breeding season is different and we learn something new each year.

I had a great time at the Penguin Encounter with Linda. Do you have more questions you’re curious about? If you want to learn more about the penguins and their baby chicks, be sure to sign up for a Penguin Up-Close Tour at the park and get a behind-the-scenes look at these amazing animals, or head to the Penguin Encounter during an animal talk, which are noted on the daily schedule on the back of the park map, to find out more.

On the Road with SeaWorld Animals

Katie Preuss — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:06:56 +0000

As the newest member of the communications team I am about to embark on planning and participating in SeaWorld media tours. Every year, SeaWorld travels with some of our Animal ambassadors to the cities where many of our guests come from to do a “meet-and-greet” at local television stations.

I sat down with a fellow blogger and Assistant Curator here at our park, Paige Newman. We discussed the ins and outs of a media tour and what exciting times I have ahead of me; visiting news stations, hospitals, and probably the most fun of all, spending time with the animals. Paige then shared an experience she had when traveling with a few of her friends.

“I’d just been dropped off at the airport. If you were to see the amount of luggage I have with me, you’d think I was traveling with a family of six! I had luggage, a briefcase, backpack, golf bag, keyboard case, ice chest and a kennel. I cautiously proceed to the counter after schlepping all my stuff through the crowded breezeway. I was getting some funny looks from fellow travelers. I see a familiar face as I check-in. “What do you have today?” I smiled…

“After dropping off most of my things in the baggage area, I headed to the Security check point. At this time, more Transportation & Safety Administration (TSA) Officers started to head my way… Hmmm, I must look guilty, I thought. … I got up to the metal detector and there was a swarm of officers waiting on the other side of the doorway… Now I was really starting to attract a lot of attention! I took off my shoes, picked up the kennel and placed it ever so gently on the ground. As I reached down to open the door, flashes of light start going off. For a brief moment, I felt like a celebrity… only to realize their not taking pictures of me, but of my buddies. As they waddled behind me through the metal detector, I thought to myself, maybe if I were wearing a tuxedo, I’d be in the pictures too. I led the way through the entry and exit and my co-workers, Pete & Penny, followed me through the hallway. And the familiar, “Is that what I think it is?”…”

Pete and Penny going through security

After hearing about Paige’s adventure with our adorable penguins, Pete and Penny, I’m very excited to make their acquaintance.

My most rewarding experience so far was accompanying some members of our Animal Ambassador Team to a children’s hospital here in San Antonio for a quick meet-and-greet. We had a selection of our feathery/scaly/and piney friends, but the best part was seeing the faces of the children light up as they were visited by very special guests. I think that is what I’ll always remember when I look back at my first media tour experience; a young boy with a gleam in his eye as he pets an American Alligator.

What makes Adventure Camp so great? The Staff!

JackHarvey — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:33:14 +0000

Lise with her favorite marine mammal, Shamu!

It’s been a great summer at Adventure Camp. Campers have enjoyed the animals and shows and the rides, but I think the one thing that has made it so good is the staff. I sat down with one of the resident camp counselors, Lise, to learn a little bit more about what a typical camp counselor is all about.

What made you apply to be a SeaWorld Camp Counselor?

I came to Career Camp while I was in high school and fell in love with it and knew the first day I was coming back for Advanced Careers Camp. During Advanced Camp, I talked with the camp supervisor about being a counselor. I knew it was something I wanted to pursue so I applied.

What’s your favorite part of being a Camp Counselor?

I love kids. I think kids are so fun and educating children is a highlight to me. Seeing how they react when they see a killer whale for the first time or touching a beluga whale or shoveling snow next to penguins is such a rewarding experience. It’s really awesome to be a part of inspiring them to want to have a career working with animals.

What do you do when camp is not going on?

I am a journalism major at the University of Idaho and spend a lot of time working, swimming and studying.

What’s the one thing camp has taught you about yourself?

That no matter what happens, you have to laugh and find a positive side and make sure that you’re still inspiring these kids and making sure they’re all having a fun time.

Do you plan on staying with SeaWorld after college?

I think pursuing a career at SeaWorld is a dream of mine. I’ve enjoyed the time I’ve spent here and coming back to camp or working with animals would be nice.

What’s your favorite things to do at SeaWorld?

Playing with dolphins at Dolphin Cove, taking campers back to touch and feed the stingrays at our Zoological Support Area and taking campers to the Summer Nights shows and having fun with them.

Lise is a fourth year counselor from Idaho. She has worked with both Expedition Camp and Careers Camp, as well as being a lead counselor for Careers Camp. She is currently the lead counselor for our Camper In Transition (CIT) program.

Thanks and Gig Em

Jack

Welcome to Beethoven

FranStephenson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:15:25 +0000

Beethoven and trainer Valerie Carleton Get Acquainted

We all huddled around the pool to witness his arrival. So many months of planning, preparing, and anticipation and now he’s here. The very first baby beluga whale born at our park. So cute! So tiny! So special that we even had a contest in which a guest named him. Beethoven is here!

That was the early 90′s. Fast forward over 15 years later and we were in the same boat. Months of planning, preparation, and anticipation finally were over as we welcomed Beethoven back home. The scene yesterday morning looked very similar to the day he was born. Trainers, animal care specialists and veterinarians were huddle around the pool waiting for him to arrive. He looks a little different today though. Now over 10 feet long and over 1500 pounds, Beethoven is back home at the White Whale and Dolphin Stadium. He’ll eventually participate in our VIVA show as well as our Beluga Interaction Program, but he will be an important addition to our breeding program.

But where has he been for a decade and a half? Well, in the zoological community it’s very common for animals to travel to different facilities. Beethoven spent time in our sister park in San Diego and most recently was at the Point Defiance Zoo in Washington. And now you’re probably wondering how we get a whale from Washington to Texas. Let’s just say that SeaWorld animals are flown first class! That’s right we fly them on a plane! It’s a pretty impressive sight. While the seat may not recline and there’s no in-flight movie, Beethoven and other whales that are being transported are comfortably lowered into a customized transportation unit, eased into a cargo plane, and accompanied by a team of people who are committed to their care, flown to their destination. Quite an impressive accomplishment when you think about it.

So now Beethoven has returned home to a facility where he’ll get to know 8 other beluga whales (including a few that were here when he was born). In addition to that, he’ll have 21 new human friends to learn and get love from. Can’t wait to get reacquainted.

Continued success and blessings,

Chuck

Editor’s Update: Check out more photos of Beethoven interacting with Valerie Carleton, one of our animal trainers on our Flickr site.

Meet Our Bloggers

FranStephenson — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:22:20 +0000

Today I’d like to introduce four personalities from SeaWorld’s Social Media Team. Anna Lisa Aguirre, our EHS Manager is one of the most environmentally active people I have ever met. She lives and breathes conservation and recycling. Learn more about Anna Lisa in her video profile.

Trisha Dees has everyone’s dream job. Each day she hops in the water with our resident sea lions, walruses and otters AND she performs in Cannery Row Caper, their hilarious detective thriller. She is also the cheerleader, fundraiser and advocate for the SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. See Trisha’s video profile to see just how passionate she is.

Chuck Cureau is another outstanding animal trainer and motivational leader at SeaWorld San Antonio. He was so excited to make his first blog post, he called me on the phone to share the moment. If you don’t already know him, here’s Chuck’s video profile.

Finally, Paige Newman is one of those can-do people that everyone should get to know. She has a smile that will light up a room, she like sharks – of all things – and never stops learning about our animals. Here is a moment with Paige.

I hope you will come to love their diverse viewpoints and enthusiastic voices as much as I have.

For the community, Fran.

Meet Chance Sanford: Is Camping Really a Job?

FranStephenson — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:21:37 +0000

At SeaWorld San Antonio, camping is a JOB! And there’s no one more passionate about our animals and programs than Chance Sanford, Manager of Education and Conservation. Chance has been with SeaWorld as a team member for more than 10 years, but his first experience at our park goes back to when he was 15 years old and came to a SeaWorld camp for the very first time. He’s in charge of everything camp – day camps, resident camps and sleepovers. He even met his wife here. Last year, he successfully worked with the Alamo Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America to offer a combined sleepover/badge program. We have had such great success with local Girl Scout programs that it was a natural progression. In case you were wondering if a summer job can lead to a career working with animals, the answer is a resounding YES! Chance is just one of 20 team members whose voices will be heard in What’s Under the Sea in the coming months. Enjoy Chance’s video profile.

For the Community……Fran.