An animal theme park, also known as a zoological theme park, is a combination of an
amusement park and a
zoo, mainly for entertainment, amusement, and commercial purposes. Many animal theme parks combine classic theme park elements, such as themed entertainment and
amusement rides, with classic zoo elements such as live animals confined within enclosures for display. Many times, live animals are utilized and featured as part of amusement rides and attractions found at animal theme parks.
Two examples of animal theme parks are
Disney's Animal Kingdom in
Orlando, Florida (580 acres or 2.3 square kilometres) and
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in
Tampa, Florida (335 acres or 1.36 square kilometres). These commercial parks are similar to open-range zoos and
safari parks according to size, but different in intention and appearance, containing more entertainment and amusement elements (stage shows, amusement rides, etc.).
The term "animal theme park" can also be used to describe certain
marine mammal parks,
oceanariums, and more elaborate
dolphinariums, such as
SeaWorld, which offers
amusement rides and additional entertainment attractions, and are also where marine animals such as whales are kept, contained, put on display, and are sometimes trained to perform in shows.
In 2010 the practice of keeping animals as trained show performers in theme parks was heavily criticized when a trainer was killed by an
orca whale at
SeaWorld Orlando in Florida.[1]
An animal theme park, also known as a zoological theme park, is a combination of an
amusement park and a
zoo, mainly for entertainment, amusement, and commercial purposes. Many animal theme parks combine classic theme park elements, such as themed entertainment and
amusement rides, with classic zoo elements such as live animals confined within enclosures for display. Many times, live animals are utilized and featured as part of amusement rides and attractions found at animal theme parks.
Two examples of animal theme parks are
Disney's Animal Kingdom in
Orlando, Florida (580 acres or 2.3 square kilometres) and
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in
Tampa, Florida (335 acres or 1.36 square kilometres). These commercial parks are similar to open-range zoos and
safari parks according to size, but different in intention and appearance, containing more entertainment and amusement elements (stage shows, amusement rides, etc.).
The term "animal theme park" can also be used to describe certain
marine mammal parks,
oceanariums, and more elaborate
dolphinariums, such as
SeaWorld, which offers
amusement rides and additional entertainment attractions, and are also where marine animals such as whales are kept, contained, put on display, and are sometimes trained to perform in shows.
In 2010 the practice of keeping animals as trained show performers in theme parks was heavily criticized when a trainer was killed by an
orca whale at
SeaWorld Orlando in Florida.[1]