By Ben Martin
(Reuters) - UK-based theme park operator Merlin Entertainments Plc (L:MERL) has approached marine park operator SeaWorld Entertainment Inc (N:SEAS) about a potential deal, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Merlin, which runs Legoland parks worldwide and owns Madame Tussauds, has made a bid for part of SeaWorld, but SeaWorld's preference is to sell itself whole, the source said.
SeaWorld has also received indications of interest from other parties, the source said.
"We do not comment on speculation or rumours", SeaWorld said. Merlin could not be reached for a comment outside business hours.
Merlin's approach for SeaWorld was first reported by Bloomberg earlier on Wednesday.
Shares of Orlando-based SeaWorld were trading up nearly 5 percent after the bell on Wednesday.