SeaWorld San Antonio to open Rescue Jr. children's area with rides

A new attraction inspired by United Parks & Resorts Inc. 's animal rescue and rehabilitation efforts is coming to SeaWorld San Antonio next year.

The theme park plans to open a " Rescue Jr. " area with a 1,000-foot "Beach Rescue Racer" roller coaster with cars in the shape of a beach jeep, a train ride with a sea rescue theme and "Tide Pool Tumble" and "Seabird Swing" rides. It will also have climbing structures and water features.

"Rescue Jr. will be an exciting addition to our park and put marine animal rescue at the forefront with our guests. The new play area will be a fun and exciting way for our guests to learn about the animal rescues that our dedicated teams do every day, 365 days a year," park president Jeff Davis said in a statement . "We know that Rescue Jr., along with all of our animal habitats and presentations, will ignite a passion in young hearts, inspiring them to become future animal rescuers, scientists, veterinarians or conservationists."

SeaWorld confirmed its plans after a July filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation that described a $6 million "Rescue Jr. 2025" hub to be built at the park. A SeaWorld spokesperson declined to comment at the time, and the reference to "Rescue Jr." appeared to have been removed from the filing after being asked about it.

United Parks & Resorts said it has helped more than 41,000 injured and orphaned animals. The Orlando-based company previously known as SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. has sought to highlight its rescue efforts in the wake of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which focused on Tilikum, a captive orca that killed its trainer, and confinement of the whales.