Busch Gardens Theme Park Issues Rapid Statement Amid Multiple Tragic Death Reports Within Weeks

in Busch Gardens, Theme Parks

Front entrance to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida

Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

One of Florida’s biggest theme parks, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is suffering a period of mourning after multiple deaths have struck the animal-filled theme park in just one month.

A family walking through Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with a roller coaster in the background.
Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, a renowned theme park nestled in Florida, is more than just an entertainment destination. It’s a sanctuary for a diverse array of animals, serving as a vital hub for wildlife conservation.

The park is home to over 200 species, ranging from majestic big cats like tigers and lions to exotic birds, reptiles, and aquatic creatures. Visitors can encounter African elephants, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos in their natural habitats, while the Jungala section offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of Southeast Asian wildlife, including orangutans and Malayan tigers.

Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park
Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens has a strong commitment to wildlife conservation. The park actively participates in various programs and initiatives aimed at protecting endangered species and preserving their habitats. Some of their key efforts include:

  • Breeding Programs: Busch Gardens is part of several cooperative breeding programs that help maintain healthy populations of endangered species. These programs involve carefully managed breeding and rearing of animals to ensure genetic diversity.
  • Habitat Preservation: The park supports conservation efforts in the wild, working with organizations to protect and restore natural habitats. This includes initiatives to combat deforestation, poaching, and habitat fragmentation.
  • Research and Education: Busch Gardens conducts research better to understand animal behavior, health, and reproduction. This knowledge is used to improve animal care and support conservation efforts. The park also plays a vital role in educating the public about wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting biodiversity.

United Parks & Resorts, which is the owner of Busch Gardens and SeaWorld, has faced allegations of animal mistreatment in the past, particularly regarding its treatment of orcas. However, the company has implemented significant changes to its animal care practices in recent years. It has invested in improved animal habitats, expanded veterinary care facilities, and adopted more humane training methods.

While there will always be debates about the ethics of keeping animals in captivity, Busch Gardens has made strides to ensure the well-being of the animals under its care. The park’s commitment to conservation and education is evident in its efforts to protect endangered species and promote awareness about wildlife issues.

Earlier this year, the theme park mourned the death of Simon, their 17-year-old lion.

He arrived at Busch Gardens as a cub in 2007.

“For 17 wonderful years, Simon touched hearts and inspired his care team and park guests alike. Simon was a playful soul both as a cub and into adulthood — he loved breaking open coconuts and pumpkins and taking “baths” in beds of spices and seasonings,” the park said in its post.

This month, two gorillas have died at the theme park.

Busch Gardens Tampa is saddened to announce the death of their 37-year-old gorilla, Jim. In a statement to WFLA, the theme park revealed that Jim passed away unexpectedly due to declining health.

A gorilla stands with a serious expression in its natural habitat. The background features green foliage and a blurry landscape, indicating a zoo or a wildlife sanctuary setting. The sunlight highlights the gorilla's fur and the contours of its muscular body.
Credit: Busch Gardens

“Jim had been receiving round-the-clock care from our animal care and veterinary staff as his health declined over the past few weeks,” Busch Gardens said.

This is the second gorilla death at Busch Gardens within a month, following the passing of 19-year-old Tinga on August 12th. The theme park is now prioritizing the health and well-being of the remaining gorilla troop as they mourn the loss of Jim.

As we noted earlier, having animals in theme parks has been a controversial issue for a long time, especially after the making of Blackfish

Released in 2013, Blackfish was a critically acclaimed documentary that focused on the life of Tilikum, a male orca who had been involved in several incidents, including the death of a SeaWorld trainer. The film argued that the conditions in which orcas were kept in captivity were cruel and inhumane, leading to behavioral problems and even aggression.

seaworld-blackfish
Credit: Magnolia Pictures

The documentary sparked widespread public outrage and controversy, leading to a significant decline in SeaWorld’s attendance and revenue. In response to the backlash, SeaWorld announced in 2016 that it would end its orca breeding program and phase out its killer whale shows.

More recently, other parks like Cedar Point has been under fire after their camels escaped their captive section and roamed the park among guests.

As we reported, guests were nearly injured severely from the event: “We were almost trampled by two massive mammals,” Garcia told the local Fox affiliate. “We put some space in between us and watched the aftermath of what could have been a very dangerous situation.”

Then, goats were released and roamed the park. 

As we shared:

“a recent report by the Akron Beacon Journal highlighted a request from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The request urges the USDA, which oversees the welfare of animals in petting zoos, to investigate Honey Hill, a Kentucky-based animal supplier. Honey Hill provides camels, among other animals, to Cedar Point’s Barn Yard exhibit.

The request follows an incident where two camels escaped from the Cedar Point exhibit. PETA Senior Director of Captive Animal Welfare, Debbie Metzler, issued a statement suggesting a potential link between the escape and the animals’ living conditions. The statement suggests the camels might have been stressed due to “excessive handling, noisy roller coasters, and screaming parkgoers.”

“PETA is calling on federal authorities to hold Honey Hill Farm accountable for failing to protect these frightened animals − and members of the public who were endangered during their attempts to flee,” Metzler added.

While Busch Garden Tampa Bay has not been accused of maltreating these gorillas, it has had a slew of upset guests due to its decision to end its Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream, an hour earlier. This left the event far less extensive than it once was. 

Additionally, the theme park announced the closure of Scorpion with little time for guests to plan a final trip out to the park, which also left some who love the coaster upset. Now, the park has decided not to close the coaster until September 8 instead of the 2nd. 

Do you think that it is ok to keep animals in a theme park?

 

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