SeaWorld opens up the secrets of the deep
SeaWorld opens up the secrets of the deep
JAKARTA (JP): SeaWorld Indonesia, the operator of Indonesia's
only oceanographic acrylic tunnel aquarium, is offering free
tickets for Indonesia's best students to observe and study marine
life.
"SeaWorld is providing free tickets to students with great
grades," SeaWorld executive director Arief Wiriadinata said at a
media conference on Tuesday.
"We'll maintain our marine educational programs in order to
help provide and share knowledge on marine life."
He said students ranked first, second and third in their
classes could simply show their school report cards at the
entrance gate.
SeaWorld marketing manager Felicia Desiree Zecha said the free
admission program was first introduced in June last year. The
second was held in October, also last year.
"This time, the program will last until the end of November,"
she told The Jakarta Post..
"A 25 percent discount on admission is also given to the
student's chaperon," she said.
Outreach program
Arief said SeaWorld had an outreach program held outdoors,
which gives an opportunity for students to learn more in sea
conservation and resources by doing handicrafts and games.
"The program is held at schools around Jakarta, especially in
fishermen villages, such as in Pulau Seribu (Thousand Island
marine resort) and the Karimun Jawa chain of islands," he said.
Nugroho Agung, head of SeaWorld's education department, said
they also had a club for elementary school students who were
interested in natural conservation and resources.
"Klub Si Woli was established in 1996. It has several
activities, indoor and outdoor," he said.
"We have visited several islands off Jakarta, for instance, to
observe birds or release trapped tortoises."
He said the educational unit also provided practical guides
and information on SeaWorld's collection of sea life to all
visitors.
"This unit also provides free worksheets for students who come
in groups," he said.
Arief said SeaWorld would try to maintain its programs despite
the economic crisis, which had slowed business.
"We recorded 546,000 visitors in 1998, only half of the total
in 1997," he told reporters.
Jakarta has two large public aquariums. SeaWorld is the first
of its kind and focuses on ocean life. The other is in Taman Mini
Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta, which focuses on freshwater
fish.
"Currently, SeaWorld Indonesia has more than 200 species with
more than 4,000 collections, mostly from Indonesia's own waters,"
Nugroho said.
"Of all the species we have, only about 30 are freshwater. The
rest are from the sea." (05)