Is a Mermaid-themed Ocean Wildlife Rescue/Rehabilitation "Park" Feasible?

[FaeryTail]

So I had the best idea the other day!

I've wanted to incorporate my love for the ocean and sea life and obsession for mermaids into something I could share on a larger scale with others, and eventually (admittedly, while I was under the influence ;) if I'm being honest) I came to the conclusion: MERMAID THEME PARK.

Not-for-profit, information-rich, and fantasy all mixed into one, I bet the mermaid theme - that is, I envision huge aquarium tanks everywhere with dozens of us swimming away, feeding, loving, and otherwise taking care of the animals - would really draw a great fanbase and spread the word not only about the state of our oceans and its wildlife but also about the environment as a whole.

Basically I wanted to create a philanthropic outlet that would also serve as a gigantic playground for all of us :D

Thoughts?

[MermaidCelesteFL]

I think that's called Weeki Wachee.

[Miyu]

Soooo in other words, yes, it is feasible, though you'd need some superb planning to make it work well. I'm guessing also that you plan to have mers integrated into the park a little more than at Weeki Wachee?

At any rate, I'd totally love for that to happen. There is a lot of potential there, especially with mers starting to slowly catch up to vampires in terms of popularity... Which, while I love vampires as well, mers are just better suited for environmental causes and education :P It's one of the things I really love about mermaiding - you can really dip your fins into a lot when it comes to protecting the environment and helping people understand environmental concerns and what they can do about it!

(by the way, if this type of park ever happens over on this coast, I'd love to get my fins in that project!)

[FaeryTail]

I did my research on them, but they DEFINITELY seemed to be more focused on the novelty of the mermaid show and less on the environmentalism. I'm talking PROFESSIONAL, oil-covered penguins kind of stuff.

In a perfect world, I'd make it a kind of "franchise" with a park in every kind of ecosystem.

EDIT: I think the feasibility problem I'm hung up on is mostly in regard to liability. Is it as simple as having our mermaid swimmers sign a release that they know the risks of swimming in tails and the park is not responsible for death or injury? In addition, I don't see a lot of banks jumping to finance a mermaid-enthusiast fantasyland...

[Miyu]

Oh for sure I'd totally be down for something more like that! I love the novelty acts, but if a new mer-park were to open, I'd love for it to have more of an environmentalist slant to it... Because really, I'd think mermaids would be wanting to help their ocean friends :D I mean yeah, you probably won't clean the oil off the penguins in tails, but like you said there can be general tank/aquarium interactions, and probably even a few shows as well for entertainment value! And the great thing is that none of the animals would have to be trained to do tricks for shows, because the mermaids would be the main attraction at those shows!

[FaeryTail]

Bingo! :D

[Mermaid Galene]

Very cool idea. The rehab part would require an on staff veterinarian, and permits would have to be acquired from the Fish & Wildlife Service. Lots of hoops to jump through. But feasible.

[Tetra]

I definitely think its feasible and definitely a worthwhile idea. However, fantasy creatures and science often clash for people and are often kept as separate as possible. On one hand, it make for a great twist and an immersion into a world that you have created where mermaids are just as real as these creature but one in which emphasizes true realities about wildlife. On the other hand, it might undermine the fact because you are using fiction. Its a really fine line. Personally, I'm with the former group. I personally think that the fiction emphasizes the fact all the more. Not everyone will see it this way though, so I'd keep that in mind when you are deciding how far you want to push the remaindering into it and with what aspects.

Personally, I think the best way to integrate the mers is how you suggested: to have your animal trainers and feeders dress as mers when they have to perform these duties during operational hours aka when people could see them. I used to love seeing divers (repairmen/caretakers/whatnot) in aquarium tanks when I went to visit the major ones. They were funny and genuine goofballs, and I think seeing a mermaid or merman do this would be even better. The only problem I see is have a half naked mer in freezing cold water with our frosty aquatic friends. You'd have to either find a way to incorporate it/hide it well to keep the aesthetic of a mermaid or just use divers and shake it up a little.

Also, everything that's worth it is generally difficult. Its what lets you know that its important. Don't let difficulty sway you!

I really hope you do make this; it sounds terrific and I would totes go or work there if the opportunity arose (I used to want to be a marine biologist so badly its not even a joke).

Also thanks for posting this feed...I love thinking about projects like this!

[AniaR]

there are some that already exist. :) we have a few locally. They house injured sea life including small whales and dolphins, rehabilitate them in short periods of time, and put them back. They also do a lot of big whale rescues.

[Mermaid Harmony]

we had a penguin rescue in Africa that I worked at, and it was pretty cool, no mermaids, but they had programs to talk about the penguins and such

[Mermaid Enhydrina]

I think it's the Florida Aquarium that the Mernation mermaids work at. But they're only there sometimes, so a place that has mers full time would be awesome.