In 1986, they moved to a site in Vallejo, California. Marine World Africa began to look for a new park location in 1985. The land was needed for commercial development, and there was pressure to close down the park. Many of these species were endangered, and they had one of the most expansive animal collections in the world.ĭue to tax issues, they could no longer afford the old property. They had elephants, killer whales, bottlenose dolphins, short and long-finned pilot whales, tigers, lions, birds, sea lions, reptiles, goats, camels, cheetahs, snow leopards, llamas, and hundreds more. Photo provided by the National Parks Service.Īs Marine World Africa, their menagerie expanded, and eventually they had over 400 different species. George Lucas used an elephant from Marine World Africa USA named Mardji for the Banthas in the first Star Wars movie in the early 70s. They bought another female killer whale, Vigga, from Iceland, the following year. In 1980 Nepo passed away, leaving Yaka alone. ![]() Only a few days after her rescue, Surfer Girl passed away. Although she was showing improvement, this wouldn't last. In 1979, they rescued a stranded female killer whale named Surfer Girl. She had become possessive over Nepo, and would fight Yaka whenever he was around. In 1978, Marine World sent Kianu to Japan. It was renamed to "Marine World/Africa USA". It was bought out by Ralph Helfer and Resort's International, which expanded the park with more wildlife exhibits. Photo provided by San Francisco Chronicle and Marine World Africa USA. They also acquired two new killer whales, a female named Yaka and a male named Nepo. One notable new exhibit was "Big Lou" the elephant seal. In 1969, Marine World changed management and expanded, adding in several new marine life exhibits. Bonnie was the first killer whale to give birth in captivity. Both whales had been pregnant at time of their capture, and they both gave birth at Marine World. ![]() At opening, they owned two female killer whales, Bonnie and Kianu, although Bonnie died only a month after her capture. Their biggest attractions were their seal shows, killer whale shows, and water skiing shows that included a water skiing elephant named Judy. It was owned by the American Broadcasting Company. ![]() Marine World, which opened in July of 1968, was built on reclaimed tidelands on the San Francisco bay. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom had its start as a small zoo in Redwood City, California. Photo provided by Marine World Africa USA.
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