The activities I've helped with are Sea Life Safari, an occasional stingray feeding, touch tank feeding, and I am starting with the Dolphin Adventure Tour.
Sea Life Safari is a 90-minute boat tour where guests can get an up-close look at the marine life that lives in Clearwater Bay. Dolphin Adventure Tour allows guests to see wild dolphins as they swim in the bay. What is interesting about both boats is that there is actual research being done. Sea Life Safari collects data about all the fishes and invertebrates that live in the bay, specifically how much of each species is there. Dolphin Adventure Tour not only studies the bay's wild dolphin populations, but also its water quality.
Feeding stingrays is fun and interesting because they're different from the marine animals I've been exposed to (dolphins, whales, etc.). The barbs have been clipped off so you can't get hurt, and the rays are used to human contact. Stingrays are often misunderstood because when a person
thinks of a stingray, the first thought is being stung. Well, the truth is that stingrays are actually very docile, and they only sting to defend themselves, not to attack. Anyway, feeding the rays is a neat experience. You can literally feel them sucking the food out of your hand like a vacuum cleaner.
Feeding stingrays is fun and interesting because they're different from the marine animals I've been exposed to (dolphins, whales, etc.). The barbs have been clipped off so you can't get hurt, and the rays are used to human contact. Stingrays are often misunderstood because when a person
thinks of a stingray, the first thought is being stung. Well, the truth is that stingrays are actually very docile, and they only sting to defend themselves, not to attack. Anyway, feeding the rays is a neat experience. You can literally feel them sucking the food out of your hand like a vacuum cleaner.
During breaks, there's nothing I like better than playing with the dolphins at the underwater viewing. Most of the time, I have Hope come over. She has officially become my playmate at the window. She loves the stuff that I have; I often wave around a towel or a jacket, and I have recently bought a suction cup ball that I'll stick to the glass and roll around in front of her.
I've also been able to play "hide and seek" with her. Basically, I will run over to the next
window, and Hope, being the smart girl she is, will know where I am. I also like to just look in her
cute eyes and talk to her. I'll sometimes send her a kiss through the glass (may sound silly, but that's how I am when there's a dolphin in front of me).
Winter comes to the window sometimes, but not as often as Hope. When she does come to the window though, it's just as fun. Sometimes I'll go up to the Winter Zone and I talk to her there. I'll even whistle to the dolphins sometimes.
From my point of view, Winter seems more like the "chill and relax" kind of dolphin, while Hope is more curious and playful. She'll sometimes try to get Winter to play while Winter just wants to
relax. Nicholas is also a fun dolphin to play with. He'll sometimes take the time to see what I have.
I have also had interesting events happen. In January, I got to see Summer, a rescued dolphin, get transported from the aquarium to live out her life at Dolphin Research Center.
relax. Nicholas is also a fun dolphin to play with. He'll sometimes take the time to see what I have.
I have also had interesting events happen. In January, I got to see Summer, a rescued dolphin, get transported from the aquarium to live out her life at Dolphin Research Center.
So I'm having a great time interning at CMA. I'm taking part in cool stuff, while helping to educate others. I'm also having fun with my dolphin playmates, Winter, Hope, and Nicholas. I'll try to post more updates while I'm still in Clearwater so that you guys can know what's happening. Stay
tuned.
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