Busch Gardens Tampa announced today they would be building a new state-of-the-art medical facility in Nairobi that will allow guests to get closer than any other zoological facility has ever let guests be. The new facility is scheduled to open sometime this winter and will give guests the opportunity to see routine physicals, check-ups, meals being prepared, x-rays, and even surgeries.
Remember those construction walls we reported popping up a few weeks ago near the Rhino habitat? The new medical facility will be replacing the Rhino habitat in the Nairobi area of the park.
“We are proud of the care we provide our animals,” said Mike Boos, vice president of zoological operations. “We welcome the opportunity to share our level of care with our guests, and to continue our mission of connecting guests to animals and the natural world. No other zoological facility will offer the unique, up-close experience that this new facility will offer.”
Guests will also be able to participate in a diagnostic exercise through an interactive activity card that can be scanned at several different stations where they follow the animal from diagnostic to lab work, and lastly to the final outcome.
Audio and video capabilites will allow guests to talk to the vets as they are working, as well as get a closer look at what’s really going on. Zoo Educators will be on hand while treatments and surgeries are being performed so they can talk about what’s going on.
The park’s current medical facility is located behind the scenes of the park.
“What many people probably don’t realize is that our veterinarians, technicians and animal care staff spend most of their day confirming the health of our animals by doing preventative efforts such as annual physicals and checkups,” said Bill Street, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Corporate Curator of Conservation and Education. “There are great lessons we can share with guests by offering this up-close look at our high level of animal care.”
For more information about Busch Gardens Tampa, visit their official website, buschgardens.com/bgt.
