When 19 manatees became trapped in a Satellite Beach drainage pipe last winter, SeaWorld began working on a new exhibit to showcase the park's rescue efforts.
That exhibit officially opened Wednesday, which was also National Manatee Day.
The plan is part of SeaWorld Orlando's plan to turn the park "inside out."
"Seven is eating off the trays in the bottom, and Trooper, who is the other one over there, is actually eating off the surface," said Jon Peterson, supervisor of animal care at SeaWorld Rescue.
Peterson is excited to finally share his office. After 19 years on the job, his work space is now on display.
"When you go into back areas, you see a lot of mechanics," said Mike Boos, vice president of zoological operations at SeaWorld. "You see what it takes to care for these guys. The filtration, the trucks and the equipment."
Boos said the extension of the Turtle Trek exhibit went through several design plans.
The area now on display to guests used to be landscaping. After adding steps, guests now are able to enter into the backstage areas and see the manatees that are being rehabilitated.
"Look, we have nothing to hide," Boos said. "Come on. Take a look."
The transparent exhibit comes two weeks after the park announced it would end its orca breeding program. That decision was the biggest change in SeaWorld's 50-year history.
"Part of our history has been, 'Let's get the work done,'" Boos said. "They're proud of their work. But, we don't need the recognition. And I think that is one of the issues that our detractors have said: 'You don't do great work. You don't talk about it.' We never felt like we had to. And now, maybe we need to."
Employees now sport name tags with conservation messages. Even drains in the park have an awareness reminder. The new direction falls under a new brand name at the park: SeaWorld Rescue.
"You rescue an animal, and then you come back," Peterson said. "You may have a year worth of rehabilitation work."
Rehabilitation is now included in a refurbished retail location with SeaWorld Rescue apparel. Five percent of sales there go toward the SeaWorld Conservation Fund to help pay for additional healthy animal initiatives, a role Peterson takes seriously.
"If all works right, we get to return that animal back out," he said.
Since SeaWorld announced the end of its orca breeding program, shares of the company have traded at near-term highs. The stock closed at $21.45 on Wednesday, the highest since mid-June.
The SeaWorld Rescue exhibit backstage is included with park admission and open daily.