Post by Admin Rose on Jan 4, 2011 6:23:29 GMT -4
(Oldest dolphn Nellie & Lily Champagne- Last of the Blond Dolphins pictured here)
Marineland, the longtime Florida tourist attraction, has been sold to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta for a reported $9.1 million.
Georgia Aquarium officials say "no significant" change in the day-to-day operations is expected in the immediate future, but they are looking at "long-range plans for the Marineland property," according to a news release.
Company officials say they want to ensure the attraction's "long-term viability as both a public attraction and a center for aquatic animal research and conservation."
In 2008 the two attractions opened a joint venture near the Flagler County venue - Georgia Aquarium's Dolphin Conservation Field Station at Marineland. The center studies marine animals off the coast of Georgia and Northeast Florida and rescues and rehabilitates stranded ones.
"Institutions like Georgia Aquarium would not even exist if Marineland and others of its kind had not created an awareness and understanding of aquatic animals generations ago," said David Kimmel, president and chief operating officer of the Georgia Aquarium.
Acquiring Marineland is part of an overall long-term strategy by Georgia Aquarium to expand the positive benefits of its program throughout the Southeast, according to company officials.
"We think this is a really good thing for Marineland and the Georgia Aquarium," said Scott Higley, vice president of marketing and communications for the Aquarium.
Officials have not confirmed the $9.1 million purchase price, which was reported from public records by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
When the field station opened at Marineland in 2008, Georgia Aquarium officials announced plans for a multimillion-dollar addition featuring dolphins at the Atlanta facility. Several Marineland dolphins were to be lent to the exhibit.
This year the Georgia Aquarium will open a $110 million dolphin gallery.
Georgia Aquarium is the world's largest such facility with more than 10 million gallons of water and more aquatic life than any other aquarium, according to the attraction's website.
In 1999, Jim Jacoby, chairman of Jacoby Development, bought a tract of land at Marineland. In 2001 he bought the attraction and in 2005 extensive renovations were completed.
Most of the buildings and structures, including the restaurant, from Marineland's heyday have been demolished.
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