Most of us are aware that pollution, environmental changes and ocean debris are taking a toll on ocean wildlife, but perhaps no one has more direct experience with the threats our oceans face—and it’s changing impact on marine habitats— than the people on the frontlines of animal rescue.
SeaWorld knows that human-driven activities, such as urban development and pollution, have taken an increasing toll on marine wildlife in recent years, as evidenced by the more than 35,000 animals its teams have rescued over the last 55 years.
June is known as World Oceans Month, and SeaWorld has eight ideas on how families can adopt simple green practices to protect our oceans and the environment: how individuals can report a stranded or injured animal, along with few simple green practices anyone can adopt to protect the ocean and the environment:
1. Recycle e-waste
Most people upgrade their phones every few years, but did you ever think about what happens to all the old phones? Many of those phones and other e-waste are disposed of improperly and can eventually end up in the ocean, where they leach toxic chemicals that accumulate in marine animals and cause serious health issues like infertility and disease. Instead of just throwing your old electronics away, give them to a company that recycles e-waste.
2. Keep batteries out of the trash
We don’t have much use for batteries once they lose their charge, so it makes sense to throw them away, right? Wrong. Batteries thrown in the trash end up in landfills, where they lose their casing and leach toxic chemicals into the soil. These chemicals make their way into the water supply and eventually end up in the ocean, posing a risk to marine animals that inadvertently ingest them. Instead of throwing used batteries in the trash, take them to a local facility that can dispose of them properly, or buy rechargeable batteries.
3. Avoid clamshell packaging
Clamshell-shaped containers used in fruit packaging may seem recyclable because they’re made of plastic, but they actually aren’t designed to be recycled. Throwing them away is even worse, as they then end up dumped in landfills or directly into the ocean where they can cause serious health issues and even kill marine animals that mistake them for food. Additionally, these containers leach plastic chemicals into the ocean that are toxic for marine animals. While they aren’t great for recycling, you can reuse them! They do make perfect containers for small plants and can also be used for sprinkling grass or other seeds over a large area.
4. Skip the drive-thru
Sitting in the drive-thru at your favorite restaurant or coffee shop may be convenient, but it burns gas that turns into harmful air pollution. That air pollution ultimately ends up in the ocean, exposing sea otters, dolphins and other animals to deadly toxins. Instead, go inside to place your order – you can burn more calories that way, too.
5. You CAN recycle pizza boxes
We all love pizza and it is a great meal on the go, but we always hear that you can't recycle pizza boxes! But that's only partially true. All you have to do is cut the top of the area of the box that was not touched by the food and recycle it with your other cardboard and boxes.
6. Re-use sandwich bags
It's best to use reusable containers for lunches and snacks, but when in a pinch and you need to use these products, use them more than once. You can re-use it several times especially when you are filling it with the same snack. It saves money and helps you conserve.
7. Just say no
When in a restaurant, say no to straws and children’s cups. When at the store say no to the plastic bag.
8. Lead by example
Be a good steward to the environment and when you see trash on the ground, pick it up, and throw it in the right place, it really does make a difference.
Why even small efforts matter
While people are more aware than ever of the environmental threats facing our oceans, SeaWorld reports that in its 55 years of operations threats to marine wildlife are accelerating.
Since 1964, the same year SeaWorld first opened its gates, SeaWorld’s rescue teams have been on the frontlines of giving ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned animals a second chance at life. Today, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced that SeaWorld Rescue has now come to the aid of more than 35,000 marine and terrestrial animals in its 55-year history. Trends in rescue data suggest that the impact of human activity on our oceans, such as plastic pollution, is taking an increasing toll on marine wildlife in recent years.
SeaWorld cites changes in sea surface temperatures, urban development and resulting habitat loss, along with ocean pollution, as primary causes and concerns impacting marine wildlife. According to SeaWorld Rescue data, for example, approximately half of the manatees rescued along Florida’s coast since 2015 were in danger from human-impacted activities, including paralysis caused by cold stress or red tide as seawater temperatures dramatically change with the climate, injuries caused by boat strikes, or entanglement in marine debris.
To grow awareness of the threats facing wildlife, the company has launched a new SeaWorld Rescue channel on Instagram that tells the story of rescue, rehabilitation and release, as seen through the eyes of those on the frontlines of saving animals.
“As an organization, we want to get to a place where we conduct fewer rescue operations, not more, but right now there are a lot of ill, distressed or stranded wild animals in need,” said Jon (JP) Peterson, Senior Leader of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando, who has personally assisted thousands of distressed animals. “We’re not there yet, but there’s much more awareness now of the impact that humans are having on the ocean’s health and the animals that live in the ocean than there was when I started on the rescue team, and that gives us hope. Part of SeaWorld’s mission is to increase awareness and education of the true impact humans are having on our oceans and the detrimental effects on marine wildlife.”
