The Southern Hemisphere is getting its very first dedicated marine wildlife hospital, with construction starting at Sea World.
Tourism Minister Andrew Powell joined park officials to break ground on the $10 million facility.
The new Sea World Foundation Wildlife Hospital is expected to open next year, which will bring a major boost to the care and rehabilitation of sick and injured marine wildlife.
Purpose-built for rapid rescue and rehabilitation, the new facility will feature specialist equipment to treat larger marine mammals, with vessels docked onsite for rapid deployment.
It will provide specialist care for dolphins, whales, dugongs, rays, turtles, seabirds, sharks, and other marine wildlife.
The hospital will also give visitors the opportunity to see marine conservation and rehabilitation in action.
Minister Powell said the State Government was getting on with the job of delivering its five-hospital election commitment.
“We promised Queenslanders five new and expanded wildlife hospitals, and today we are delivering on that promise,” Minister Powell said.
“Shovels are in the ground at Sea World, with work underway on a world-class marine wildlife hospital that will give more sick and injured wildlife the specialist care they need.
“After a decade of decline under Labor, Queensland’s wildlife hospital network was crying out for investment, and the Crisafulli Government is getting on with fixing it.
“This is a win for wildlife and a win for Queensland, supporting wildlife rehabilitation while creating new education opportunities and showcasing our conservation efforts to millions of visitors each year.”
Village Roadshow Group CEO Clark Kirby said Sea World was proud to be working with the Government on the new Sea World Foundation Wildlife Hospital project.
“For more than 30 years, Sea World has been at the forefront of marine rescue and rehabilitation efforts around Australia, and this project will allow our team to have an even greater impact on Australian marine life,” Mr Kirby said.
“The state-of-the-art facility will allow our specialised veterinary and marine animal experts to help more animals and educate the millions of guests who visit Sea World on conservation efforts to minimise impacts on the environment.
“We have already rescued hundreds of marine animals this year, ranging from whales, dolphins, dugongs, turtles, seabirds and sea snakes, and with marine wildlife being under more threat than before, this new facility will greatly expand our capabilities.”
