SeaWorld Orlando prides itself in following the conservation efforts of its parent company, Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC); with the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. The program promotes a non-profit organization committed to supporting wildlife and habitat conservation, research, education, and animal rescue programs worldwide. With SeaWorld Orlando’s newest roller coaster, MANTA, Busch Entertainment Corporation decided to take it a step further with the use of “green” technology and conservation efforts within the new-hit ride! Not only is MANTA the first face-down coaster to grace the state of Florida, but it is the first coaster to provide an eco-friendly ride! SeaWorld’s efforts to promote the support of wildlife and habitat conservation can be seen within every inch of the 3,359 foot of track and unique queue area of MANTA.
As guests enter the queue area of MANTA, they will see ten separate aquariums, filled with over 250,000 gallons of water and more than 3,000 animals within the habitats. With numerous resources needed to create these areas, one would think that such a large aquarium would not necessarily be the most eco-friendly of places. But, with the magic of SeaWorld’s engineering team, SeaWorld was able to make these aquarium areas some of the most eco-friendly animal habitats of all time. The water treatment system within MANTA is completely sustainable. The tanks for the aquariums use variable frequency drives, which control the rate of water being pumped in and filtered, much like a squeezing the nozzle on a garden hose at full blast. This way the pumps don’t push out anymore water than needed, in order to conserve energy. Also, the water within the tanks are made up of reusable saltwater, in order to conserve freshwater. Within the tanks, themselves, wood scraps from pine trees, which usually go to waste, were used to create wood ceilings and doors for the aquariums. And, efficient condensing boilers have been put into affect to heat the aquariums, with 15% greater efficiency than non-condensing boilers.
The MANTA coaster is not the only main star to this attraction, but the 3,000 animals within the surrounding aquariums. SeaWorld has performed the utmost in animal conservation efforts for the species within the tanks. National and International breeding programs are being put into action at the Orlando theme park, specifically on the spotted eagle rays, bowmouth guitarfish, white blotched river rays, and the ocellate river rays. Also, all of the coral within the tanks are completely home-grown. This provides a natural habitat for the creatures. All of the coral will reach full development within a year time frame.
The coaster itself has truly gone eco-friendly, with strong “green” technology efforts to make MANTA a green coaster. Lighting throughout the ride area is made of metal halide, compact fluorescent (CFL), and light emitting diode (LED) lamps. These lamps burn 10 times longer than other light sources, providing more energy-saving and environmentally friendly lighting. The electrical cables within the ride, also, are energy-saving, by running directly from source to destination to eliminate excess material and wiring. As you exit the ride, one may wonder what the construction process may have done to the beautifully surrounding trees that once stood in that vacant area of the park. Tree replanting was performed, by physically removing the 215 trees in that area and moving them to other areas of the SeaWorld park, as well as to neighboring parks of Discovery Cove and Aquatica.
With the working promise of animal and wildlife conservation, SeaWorld is taking great steps to creating eco-friendly theme parks and setting an example for theme parks and ride-creators everywhere. | 
