Dolphin
Trainer Program for a Week
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at
the Bay Islands' Marine Biology Center
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We
have created a "dream come true" program for you! This opportunity
is unique in the world and offered exclusively to guests of the resort
participating in this trip. The program includes: |
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Free-Swims with the Dolphins - Every day we will swim with
a pod of approximately 16 dolphins in a two-acre enclosed area of
the lagoon - a protected natural ecosystem - just a two-minute boat
ride from the resort. This is a group session with the Senior Training
Staff of the Marine Biology Center and a videographer. An orientation
and hands-on dolphin encounter is followed by a play and swim session
with snorkel equipment lasting approximately 30 minutes. While these
dolphins are within an enclosure of water, there is a reserved private
area, where they may go, should they choose not to be with humans.
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Ride with the Dolphins - Let the dolphins take you for a ride
doing dorsal tows and foot pushes! The thrill and delight of these
extraordinary sessions are an unforgettable experience. You will
have 3 sessions with a dolphins and a trainer. In dorsal tows you
hold on to the dorsal fin of a dolphin while being pulled through
the water. In foot pushes the dolphins push on the soles of your feet
and propel you through the water. |
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Dolphin
Behavior Training Sessions -
Learn training behavior and hand signals for jumps, spins, "tail
walks," "laughing," "kisses" and much more
with the Senior Training Staff. |
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Classroom Sessions: Learn Dolphin Cognition and Communication,
Behavior and Conservation. Classes utilize slides, transparencies
and video tapes profiling past and present dolphin research at various
locations throughout the world. Participants will learn the physiology
and behavior of dolphins, as well as conservation issues that affect
their future. * |
*Includes
illustrated text book: "The Bottlenose Dolphin: A Comprehensive Profile."
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Interactive Hands-On Water Session - Become familiar with dolphin
anatomy and physiology and observe sonar and ecolocation behaviors
underwater. |
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Daily afternoon Presentations - Three dolphins and a Senior Trainer
give daily 1/2 hr. afternoon demonstrations of jumps, tail-walks,
flips & other dolphin antics! |
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Daily participation in dolphin feeding & care. |
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The
Marine Biology Center
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The
Marine Biology Center is surrounded by approximately 13 km. of protected
reefs. No spear fishing, trapping or collecting of any kind is allowed
within this area. Nothing is to be taken from the reefs. Only single
line fishing is permitted. To discourage touching or grabbing corals
divers and snorkelers may not wear gloves within the reserve.
The
Center has initiated a long-term reef-monitoring program within
the Marine Reserve. Coral, fish and invertebrate populations, conditions
on the reef such as salinity, turbidity and temperatures are monitored
over time as well as reef health. Student groups are invited to
participate in the reef-monitoring program. The Center is dedicated
to preserving the natural resources of the island, and any research
to be conducted must be approved prior to arrival. All groups must
adhere to the rules and regulations of the Marine Park and the Marine
Biology Center.
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