The African penguin is in trouble. Populations of these rare birds have dropped a whopping 90 percent since the beginning of the 20^th Century.

The formal-looking Penguin has captured the public’s attention for ages, but now this beloved species is a facing a growing problem. Since the end of November 2010 a growing number of African Penguin chicks have been abandoned and are in need of urgent help.

It’s a sad fact; the Great Green Macaw, whose vibrant colors once filled the skies of the Pacific slopes of west-central Ecuador, has become internationally endangered and is identified as a species “most in need of protection” by the IUCN. In response to this dire situation, the Ministry of the Environment in Ecuador has been working on strategies to save this beloved bird.

Hornbills are unique birds that look spookier than they are. Native to coastal forests and woodland areas throughout Africa, a silvery-cheeked hornbill named George calls SeaWorld Orlando home, and makes appearances as an animal ambassador. Let’s discover more about the distinctive hornbill:

East African Crowned Cranes are large, long-legged birds with straight bills, long necks and a golden feathery “crown” protruding from the back of the head. They are very social birds -- numbering up to 100 in one flock -- and known for elaborate mating displays.

Deforestation has affected our world in many ways. Most of us are now aware of its role in global warming and how it affects our world as a whole – but few think about its impact on even the smallest of creatures. In the dry lowland rainforests of Sumatra, six Sumatran hornbill species have been designated as “Near Threatened” by the IUCN Red List due to the loss of their forest habitat.

Macaroni, gentoo and Adelie penguins were in for a treat yesterday as SeaWorld San Diego bird keepers distributed 14 tons of river rocks throughout the Penguin Encounter.

Day 3 - A Jounal by Linda Weisenmiller

The Conservation Ambassador Program sends our zoological experts into the field to work on remarkable conservation projects supported by the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. In addition to the great conservation work that they do, our experts will be able to share their experiences with our guests and educate them about the important work that we all do.