Hersheypark is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its well-known Aquatheatre attraction, which regularly features an exciting water show with seals.
Park officials said the purpose of the attraction is not just to entertain, but to teach the public more about these animals and what they do.
California sea lions and Atlantic harbor seals are all a part of the Aquatheatre show. And just six months ago, the attraction welcomed a rescued grey seal pup named “Bowie.”
Bowie is only one-year-old and was found off the coast of New York. He is diagnosed with a disease known as “Microphthalmia” which is a condition that affects vision at birth, causing him to be almost completely blind.
Jackie Beiler, supervisor of training for Oceans of Fun at Hersheypark, said that animals are rescued often and are taken into good care by the park.
“It’s a great reason why zoos and aquariums exist, because without them, an animal like Bowie he would not have that second chance at life,” she said.
Bowie is the first grey seal to ever be placed in the park. All training with Bowie is handled at his own pace due to his disability.
“Bowie right now is building relationships and learning how to work around being in front of thousands of people each day. ... We are in Hersheypark, where it is loud, so he hears lots of different rides and we are on mics all the time,” she said.
According to Beiler, the attraction also offers a special VIP experience called “Flippered Friends and Family.”
“It’s a smaller group setting because we actually take you behind the scenes, you learn more about how we care for our animals and then you get to come poolside and interact as well as help train them,” she said.
Ticket prices are: $20 for Fish Feeds, visitors receive three fish to feed the animals (children must be at least two-years-old to participate); and $37 for a behind the splash photo, with up to five people allowed to take photos with the sea animals stars (children must be at least five-years-old).
A combination package costs $50.
To meet Bowie and experience more of what the Aquatheatre offers, tickets can be purchased daily on the Hersheypark website.
Watch the video above to see Bowie and the other seals at play.
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July 22, 2022 at 01:11AM
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Meet Bowie, a rescued seal pup joining Hersheypark’s Aquatheater: video - PennLive
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