Marine World/Africa USA facts for kids
Orca show at Marine World in 1970
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| Date opened | 1968 |
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| Date closed | 1985 |
| Location | Redwood Shores, California, United States (1968–1985) |
| Land area | 66 acres (27 ha) |
| Coordinates | 37°32′N 122°16′W / 37.533°N 122.267°W |
| No. of animals | 500 |
| No. of species | 400 |
| Memberships | 389 |
Marine World/Africa USA was a fun animal theme park. It was located in the Redwood Shores area of Redwood City, California. The park first opened in 1968 and was called Marine World.
Later, in 1972, it joined with a land-animal park named Africa USA. This created the new park, Marine World/Africa USA. In 1986, the park moved to Vallejo, California. Today, it is known as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
Contents
The Story of Africa U.S.A.
There were two parks in California called Africa U.S.A. Both were connected to a famous animal trainer named Ralph Helfer. The first Africa U.S.A. started in 1962. It was a large area where Ralph and Toni Helfer trained animals. This first park was near Palmdale, north of Los Angeles.
Africa U.S.A. on Screen
Many movies and TV shows used Africa U.S.A. as a filming location. Ivan Tors found a special lion named Clarence there. Clarence had crossed eyes! This lion inspired the movie Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion (1965). It also led to the TV show Daktari. Parts of Daktari were filmed at Africa U.S.A.
Judy the chimp was another star from the show. She also belonged to Ralph Helfer. Other shows filmed there included Cowboy in Africa and Gentle Ben. Even an episode of Star Trek called "Shore Leave" was filmed there. Ralph Helfer provided both the animals and the location.
A Big Storm and a New Home
In January 1969, a huge rainstorm hit Africa U.S.A. The heavy rain caused severe flooding and mudslides. This destroyed the park's original location. Luckily, only nine of Helfer's 1,500 animals were lost.
After the storm, Helfer moved his animals to a new spot. This was in Ventura County. Later, they moved again to Redwood City to join Marine World.
Marine World/Africa U.S.A. in Redwood City
The Marine World/Africa U.S.A. park in Redwood City was about 66 acres. This land was once part of the San Francisco Bay. It was originally marshy tidelands. Around 1910, the area was separated from the bay. It was used for farming animals. Later, it became salt evaporation ponds.
Construction for Marine World began in 1966. It was finished in 1968. The land was cleaned, leveled, and filled with dirt before building started.
Opening Day and Early Shows
Marine World opened its doors in July 1968. The American Broadcasting Company owned and ran the park. Its first attractions featured amazing sea creatures. There were shows with orcas and seals. A unique show included a water-skiing elephant named Judy!
In those days, some of these shows might seem a bit different from what we expect today. However, the park aimed to teach people about animals. It also helped raise money for environmental groups.
New Management and the Merger
Marine World changed its management in late 1969. New animal displays were added, like a large elephant seal named "Big Lou." The park's leaders talked with Ralph Helfer after his Africa U.S.A. park flooded. They wanted to combine their animal parks.
It took almost a year to plan the merger. In 1972, Ralph Helfer and Resorts International bought Marine World. The park was renamed Marine World/Africa U.S.A. They added the land animal section and a "jungle theater."
A Star Elephant
One of the park's most famous animals was Mardji. Mardji was a trained Asian elephant. She played the Banthas in the original Star Wars movie! Filmmakers also studied Mardji's movements. This helped them create the giant AT-AT walkers in The Empire Strikes Back.
Visitors could see Mardji's original Bantha costume at her home in the park. Mardji lived a long life. She passed away on November 26, 1995, at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
Moving to a New Location
Marine World/Africa U.S.A. faced money problems. Because of this, the park moved in 1986. Its new home was in Vallejo, California. There, it grew and eventually became Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
The old Redwood Shores location of the park changed completely. It is now an office complex for a company called Oracle Corporation.
