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SeaWorld Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week and Welcomes Rescued Southern Sea Otter ‘Abby’ Back to SeaWorld San Diego

SeaWorld San Diego proudly celebrates the 20th anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week by welcoming back home Abby, a 15-year-old rescued southern sea otter, after her retirement from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Surrogacy Program.

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  • Abby takes up permanent residence at SeaWorld San Diego after retiring from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Surrogacy Program where she successfully raised five orphaned pups
  • Abby previously resided at SeaWorld San Diego after she was stranded and rescued in 2007 as a three-day old pup
  • Guests can visit Abby and five other rescued southern sea otters at SeaWorld San Diego’s Otter Outlook

SAN DIEGO /PRNewswire/ — SeaWorld San Diego proudly celebrates the 20th anniversary of Sea Otter Awareness Week by welcoming back home Abby, a 15-year-old rescued southern sea otter, after her retirement from Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Sea Otter Surrogacy Program. During her time as a surrogate, she successfully raised five orphaned pups. Abby will join five other rescued southern sea otters at SeaWorld’s Otter Outlook, including Mocha and Coco, who she previously lived with when she was a young, rescued pup.

“Sea Otter Awareness Week allows us to recognize sea otters for their importance to the health of coastal ecosystems, their recovery from near extinction, and the threats they currently face,” said Eric Otjen, Vice President of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld San Diego. “It’s important to raise awareness of just how critical sea otters are to shaping and maintaining the ecosystems of the California coast and why efforts to recover the species are so vital.”

California’s southern sea otter is a keystone species that has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act since 1977. California’s southern sea otter population were once hunted to near extinction during the maritime fur trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Worldwide, sea otters have slowly recovered but still stand far below their historical population numbers. Today, there are approximately 3,000 southern sea otters in existence. Returning sea otters to areas they inhabited before the fur trade can help ensure their long-term survival and provide extensive benefits to California’s coastal ecosystems.

Sea Otter Surrogacy is a Vital Part of Saving the Lives of This Threatened Species

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Surrogacy Program is a unique approach to rescuing, rearing and returning sea otter pups to the wild. More than 60 surrogate-reared pups have been released from the program since 2001.  In Elkhorn Slough, a national estuarine research reserve, scientists estimate that released surrogate-raised otters and their wild offspring account for more than half of the sea otter population growth in this small estuary over the past 15 years.

Abby’s Journey from Orphan to Surrogate Mom

Abby, a three-day-old infant sea otter, was rescued in July of 2007 after she was found stranded on Jalama State Beach in northern Santa Barbara County. She was rescued by the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center and transported to SeaWorld San Diego for rehabilitation. SeaWorld animal care experts successfully hand-raised Abby with another female sea otter pup, Ellie, who arrived a few months after Abby.

Starting at age 3, SeaWorld animal care experts noticed Abby displaying maternal behaviors towards her younger companions. Understanding that Monterey Bay Aquarium had a need for a surrogate sea otter mom for their Sea Otter Surrogacy Program, both accredited zoos partnered together to give Abby a chance to put her maternal skills to work.

In June 2012, Abby moved to Monterey Bay Aquarium. Just like the other sea otter residents, Abby learned training behaviors, live food-handling skills, and acted as a companion to various rescued sea otters as part of their rehabilitation processes. As a surrogate mother, Abby helped successfully raise five healthy pups, where she taught pups critical life skills they need to survive in the wild, like how to groom their fur and how to forage. Abby retired from the surrogacy program in 2019.

Guests can visit Abby and the other five southern sea otters—Mocha, Coco, Nova, Clover and Pumpkin—at SeaWorld San Diego’s Otter Outlook and view their curious and playful behaviors. SeaWorld San Diego offers educational trainer talks daily where guests can hear from animal care specialists about day-to-day care, habits and interactions with the otters, while also sharing exciting facts about each otter’s personality and story.

About SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter, and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of our world. The Company is one of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. The Company collectively cares for one of the largest zoological collections in the world and has helped lead advances in the care of animals. The Company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® rescue team has helped more than 40,000 animals in need over the last 55 years. SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens®, Aquatica®, Sesame Place® and Sea Rescue®. Over its more than 55-year history, the Company has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States, many of which showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection. The Company’s theme parks feature a diverse array of rides, shows and other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for its guests.

About Monterey Bay Aquarium

With a mission to inspire conservation of the ocean, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the most admired aquarium in the United States, a leader in science education, and a voice for ocean conservation through comprehensive programs in marine science and public policy. Everything we do works in concert to protect the future of our blue planet. More information at MontereyBayAquarium.org.

SOURCE SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

box office and theater

Regal announces Family Ticket offer for all G, PG, and PG-13 rated movies

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. /PRNewswire/ — With affordable bundles trending, Regal wants to share the love of family friendly movies by offering four tickets all at child prices with the Regal Family Ticket. Available at all Regal theatres, the ticket offer provides a discount on the overall price, cheaper than the four tickets purchased individually for the latest Hollywood blockbusters.



“Family friendly movies appeal across generations, and Regal is excited to offer an affordable option for small groups to visit the theatre to enjoy these titles together,” said John Curry, Chief Commercial Officer at Regal. “With current and upcoming movies like Trolls Band TogetherWishWonka, and Migration, the Regal Family Ticket offer makes the most wonderful time of the year even better.”

The family ticket bundle is available to groups of four consisting of up to two adults and two children or one adult with three children. Additionally, all four attendees must attend the same movie (no R-rated titles) and same showtime to meet the terms of this offer. Ticket pricing is based on the child rate for the Regal location being attended and will be available for a limited time.

The Regal Family Ticket purchases also add credits to Regal Crown Club accounts where active members earn rewards including free popcorn, soft drinks, movies and merchandise. Free program membership is available in the Regal mobile app and at Regal’s website: REGmovies.com. Members can program their favorite theatres, purchase tickets and redeem reward credits all from their mobile devices.

About Regal:
Regal, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group, operates one of the largest and most geographically diverse theatre circuits in the United States, consisting of 5,808 screens in 428 theatres in 41 states along with the District of Columbia and Guam as of October 31, 2023. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the company’s theatre circuit provides its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable moviegoing experience. We are committed to being “The Best Place to Watch a Movie!” Additional information is available on Regal’s website: REGmovies.com.

SOURCE Regal

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RETURN OF METROLINK’S HOLIDAY EXPRESS TRAIN WILL BRING SPIRIT OF SEASON TO THOUSANDS ACROSS FOUR SATURDAYS THIS FALL

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LOS ANGELES – Metrolink’s Holiday Express Train will return this fall, spreading holiday cheer across Southern California with an interactive, family-friendly experience unlike any other. Holiday Express Trains are specially ticketed round-trip rides featuring festive decorations, recognizable holiday-themed characters, carolers and onboard and host-station activities for all ages.  


Image: Metrolink

“We received an extraordinary response from riders when we first introduced the Holiday Express Train in 2019, and we’re thrilled to announce its return this fall,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. “Not only is the Holiday Express Train back, it’s bigger and better. We’re adding four extra trips, including first-time service on the 91/Perris Valley Line, and increasing our capacity from six to eight passenger cars so that more riders can join in the festivities.”

In total, eight Holiday Express Train trips, ranging in length from 60 to 100 minutes, will take place over four Saturdays in November and December, leaving from Metrolink stations in Perris, Rancho Cucamonga, Simi Valley, Burbank and Laguna Niguel. Routes and times are listed below.

Saturday, Nov. 25 – 91/Perris Valley Line

  • Perris-South Station to Riverside-Hunter Park/UCR Station and back, departing at 10 a.m. and returning at 11:10 a.m.; host-station activities beginning at 9 a.m.
  • Perris-South Station to Riverside-Hunter Park/UCR Station and back, departing at 1 p.m. and returning at 2:10 p.m.; host-station activities beginning at noon.

Saturday, Dec. 2 – San Bernardino Line

  • Rancho Cucamonga Station to Covina Station and back, departing at 12:30 p.m. and returning at 1:30 p.m.; host-station activities beginning at 11 a.m.
  • Rancho Cucamonga Station to Covina Station and back, departing at 3:30 p.m. and returning at 4:30 p.m.; host-station activities beginning at 2:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 9 – Ventura County and Antelope Valley lines

  • Simi Valley Station to Oxnard Station and back, departing at 1:15 p.m. and returning at 2:30 p.m.; host-station activities beginning at noon.
  • Burbank-Downtown Station to Newhall Station and back, departing at 4:20 p.m. and returning at 5:35 p.m.; host-station activities beginning at 3 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16 – Orange County Line

  • Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station to Oceanside Station and back, departing at 9:20 a.m. and returning at 11 a.m.; host-station activities beginning at 8:15 a.m.
  • Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station to Oceanside Station and back, departing at 12:50 p.m. and returning at 2:30 p.m.; host-station activities beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Holiday Express Train tickets are on sale now at $25 per person. Children 2-years-old and younger ride free provided they sit on a parent’s lap. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold onsite at the host stations. Only passengers with valid Holiday Express Train tickets will be permitted to board. Each car will have assigned seating, and riders can choose their seats at the point of purchase.

Ticketholders should arrive 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time to receive their wristbands. Festive, family-friendly activities, including musical performances, holiday-themed balloon twisters and crafting tables, will be available onsite at the station for attendees to enjoy ahead of boarding.

In the spirit of the season, Metrolink is partnering with the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Spark of Love Toy Drive. Holiday Express Train riders are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation. Collection bins will be marked at all host stations.

Visit metrolinktrains.com/holidaytrain to learn more and purchase tickets.

Source: Metrolink

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amusement and theme parks

Amusement Park Giants Cedar Fair and Six Flags Merge, Creating $8 Billion Company

Amusement park giants Cedar Fair and Six Flags merge to create a $8B company, offering thrilling entertainment experiences and diverse attractions.

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Funny people riding roller coaster with sun light

In a groundbreaking move, amusement park giants Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation have announced a “merger of equals” that will create a combined company valued at approximately $8 billion. This merger will solidify their position as one of the largest amusement park companies in North America, boasting a portfolio of 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and 9 resort properties across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.


Great America owner Cedar Fair and Six Flags to merge

Notable attractions included in this merger are the beloved Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. With shared entertainment partnerships and intellectual property rights for iconic brands like DC Comics and Looney Tunes, the newly formed company is set to deliver even more engaging experiences for guests.

This merger is expected to generate significant cost savings and synergies, with an estimated $120 million in savings within two years of closing the deal. Cedar Fair shareholders will own a majority stake of approximately 51.2%, while Six Flags shareholders will own around 48.8% of the combined company.

Richard Zimmerman, President and CEO of Cedar Fair, will lead the combined company, while Selim Bassoul, President and CEO of Six Flags, will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the board of directors. Both leaders expressed excitement about the merger and highlighted the shared commitment to providing thrilling experiences for consumers.

The merger is anticipated to be finalized in the first half of 2024, paving the way for an exciting new chapter in the amusement park industry. Guests can look forward to an expanded and diverse array of attractions and entertainment as these two iconic companies join forces.

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