SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund Raises $350,000 at SeaWorld San Diego’s ‘WildNIGHT’ Gala

Non-Profit Charitable Foundation Supports Wildlife Conservation on Every Continent.


SAN DIEGO— The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund raised more than $350,000 in support of animal rescue, wildlife conservation and environmental education during the foundation’s third-annual “WildNIGHT“ dinner on Oct. 11 at SeaWorld San Diego.

The Fund’s president, Virginia M. Busch; zoologist and television personality Jack Hanna; and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador Julie Scardina hosted the event.

“WildNIGHT was a tremendous success,” said Andy Fichthorn, general manager of SeaWorld San Diego. “The generosity of our major sponsors such as the Cohn Restaurant Group, Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Southwest Airlines, Fujifilm U.S.A., and a variety of other San Diego and Southern California companies, will allow us to continue to support wildlife conservation around the world.”

The Fund, created in 2003 by the Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks, is a non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to supporting environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives around the world. Its primary areas of focus are habitat protection, species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation, and environmental education.

Unlike most charities, 100 percent of donations to the Fund benefit individuals and groups active in conservation or education. Administrative costs, including fund development, staff salaries, equipment and facilities, are borne by Busch Entertainment Corp. (BEC), the theme park division of Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Since its inception, the Fund has granted more than $3 million to nearly 300 projects in 60 countries.

“The response to the Fund from the community, our theme park guests, Anheuser-Busch employees and distributors and business partners has been overwhelming and deeply gratifying,” Fichthorn said. “The success of last night’s event illustrates the deep commitment of individuals and corporations to preserve wildlife.”

Guests were entertained and informed about the Fund’s efforts and the global projects it supports by presentations that featured more than 50 exotic animals from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks, including a tiger, a parade of flamingos, a Canadian lynx, African-crowned cranes, a 6-foot alligator and the world-famous killer whale Shamu.

The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund Mission: To work with purpose and passion on behalf of wildlife and habitats worldwide, encouraging sustainable solutions through support of species research, animal rescue and rehabilitation and conservation education.