Seal Harbour
{{Short description|Seal and sea lion exhibit in Australia}}
{{About|the animal exhibit at Sea World|the community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia|Seal Harbour, Nova Scotia}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{ Infobox attraction
| name = Seal Harbour
| logo =
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| image = Seal Harbour concept art.jpg
| imagedimensions = 250px
| caption = Concept art for the exhibit
| location = Sea World (Australia)
| section =
| status = Open
| cost =
| soft_opened = Early {{Start date|df=yes|2013|1}}
| opened = {{Start date|df=yes|2013|1|25}}
| closed =
| previousattraction = Part of the Blue Lagoon dolphin pools
| replacement =
| coordinates = {{coord|-27.955302|153.426156|display=it}}
| type = Seal and sea lion exhibit
| manufacturer =
| designer = Sea World
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| custom_label_1 = Inhabitants
| custom_value_1 = 9
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Seal Harbour is a seal and sea lion exhibit at the Sea World theme park on the Gold Coast, Australia. It officially opened to the public in January 2013.
History
Seals and sea lions have been part of Sea World for many years. Dedicated seal and sea lion shows have been running in the park since December 1996. These include Quest for the Golden Seal, Seals Aboard and Fish Detectives.{{Parkz|ride_name=Quest for the Golden Seal|location=Sea World|parkz_number=67|accessdate=14 September 2012}}{{Parkz|ride_name=Fish Detectives|location=Sea World|parkz_number=239|accessdate=14 September 2012}}
The Seals at Play exhibit was located in the centre of the park near the Carousel. The exhibit featured two separate enclosures under a circular shade. In 2005, a seal exhibit named Seal Rocks was proposed for the area where Ray Reef now stands.{{Parkz|ride_name=Seal Rocks|location=Sea World|parkz_number=94|accessdate=15 September 2012}} It was intended to replace the Seals at Play exhibit; however, the proposal never progressed and the exhibit was cancelled. On 9 July 2007, the Seals at Play exhibit was closed to make way for an expansion of Sesame Street Beach.{{cite web|title=Rides and Attractions Maintenance|url=http://www.seaworld.com.au/visitor_info/latest_news_articles.cfm?archived=0#168|publisher=Sea World|accessdate=15 September 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070830060008/http://www.seaworld.com.au/visitor_info/latest_news_articles.cfm?archived=0#168|archivedate=30 August 2007|year=2007}}{{Parkz|ride_name=Sesame Street Beach|location=Sea World|parkz_number=23|accessdate=14 September 2012}} The seal population formerly on display in the exhibit was relocated to areas in the park's back of house.
On 22 August 2012, Sea World officially announced that they would be adding Seal Harbour. The exhibit would house up to 20 seals and sea lions and would open by December 2012.{{cite news|last=Pierce|first=Jeremy|title=Sea World to open new seal exhibit|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/08/22/437108_gold-coast-theme-parks.html|accessdate=14 September 2012|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=22 August 2012}}{{cite web|title=All New Rides to keep the Kids Entertained These Holidays!|url=http://www.etravelblackboard.com/article/135561/all-new-rides-to-keep-the-kids-entertained-these-holidays|work=Press release|publisher=E Travel Blackboard|accessdate=20 September 2012|author=Village Roadshow Theme Parks|date=18 September 2012}} At the time of the announcement, construction was well underway.{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Richard|title=Sea World, August 2012|url=http://www.parkz.com.au/update/2012/08/21/298-Sea_World_August_2012.html|work=The Parkz Update|publisher=Parkz|accessdate=20 September 2012|date=21 August 2012}}{{cite web|title=PhotoMaps by NearMap|url=http://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-27.955202,153.426022&z=20&t=k&nmd=20120805|work=Aerial imagery|publisher=NearMap|accessdate=20 September 2012|date=5 August 2012}} In early January 2013, the area soft opened to the public before an official opening on 25 January 2013.{{cite news|last=Westthorp|first=Tanya|title=Sea World exhibit gets seal of approval|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/01/26/446144_gold-coast-news.html|accessdate=26 January 2013|newspaper=Gold Coast Bulletin|date=26 January 2013}}
Exhibit
The Seal Harbour exhibit features a {{Convert|3600000|l|adj=on}} pool that is divided into three areas.{{cite news|last=Sim|first=Nick|title=Sea World Australia to open Seal Harbour exhibit by Christmas 2012|url=http://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20120823/10764/sea-world-australia-open-seal-harbour-exhibit-christmas-2012|accessdate=15 September 2012|newspaper=Theme Park Tourist|date=23 August 2012}} The exhibit has a sandy bottom as well as a white sand beach. Guests can watch the seals and sea lions from a variety of locations around the pool and above the pool on clear boardwalks. Guests also have the opportunity to hand-feed fish to the inhabitants.
Seal Harbour can feature up to 20 inhabitants, including Australian sea lions, California sea lions, New Zealand fur seals and subantarctic fur seals.{{cite news|last=Pierce|first=Jeremy|title=New exhibit given seal of approval from Florida|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/new-exhibit-given-seal-of-approval-from-florida/story-fndo4ckr-1226455245219|accessdate=15 September 2012|newspaper=The Courier Mail|date=22 August 2012}} As of January 2012, a collection of nine animals inhabit the exhibit, including California sea lions as well as New Zealand and subantarctic fur seals.
See also
- List of former Sea World attractions for information about previous seal and sea lion exhibits
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- {{Official|http://seaworld.com.au/rides-and-attractions/animals/seal-harbour.aspx}}
- [http://tools.goldcoast.com.au/photo-gallery/photo_gallery_popup_preview.php?category_id=42239 Artist's impressions of Seal Harbour]
{{Sea World}}