Dolphin Research Center

Hey everyone, I'm currently making my way back home from the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida. Dolphin Research Center is non-profit organization that cares for dolphins that cannot survive in the wild. They also do research, as well as assist in the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded marine mammals.

This last week, I went to DRC for a program called DolphinLab. I had a fin-tastic week! I got to attend very informative seminars, watch demos in training and husbandry sessions, and I even got to spend time up close and personal with the dolphins. I also met some great people in my group.

I learned a lot about dolphins, including physiology, acoustics, marine mammal laws, and even conservation. I even got to do a Q&A with Mandy, one of the founders of DRC.

The dolphin demos were great. I got to see how trainers train and care for dolphins. I enjoyed seeing the relationship that trainers have with the dolphins. At the end of the sessions, some dolphins like to hang around with their trainers. This further justifies the bond that they share. I even got to see a research session with a dolphin named Talon. There were two boards displayed, each one with a different number of circles. Talon had to figure out which one had less. This was cool because it allowed me to see how DRC conducts their research in order to learn more about dolphin intelligence. I also got to see a demo with the sea lions that live on the facility.

What I liked most of all was spending time with the dolphins, both during interactions, and times when I'd just see them from the boardwalk. On Sunday I got to do a dip with a dolphin named Merina. I got to do a handshake with her (I got to rub her flippers), rub her back, and ask her to do some tricks. 

I did two encounters, one on Monday with Louie and Delta, and the other on Thursday with Tursi. During these encounters, it was the same as the dip, but in addition to the handshake, the back rubs, and signaling, I got a kiss from a dolphin (Louie on Monday, and Tursi on Thursday), and I got to do a dorsal pull. It was so much fun. 

I also got to have a shirt painted by Talon, followed by a signal session (I had him do his signature whistle), plus I even got a present from him (some of the dolphins bring piles of seaweed, rocks, and other things).

I also spent time with the dolphins while standing on the dock and boardwalk. I loved seeing their personalities and antics. Two dolphins, Rainbow and Jax, are so laid back, and they tend to be pretty talkative.

    Jax is in front, and Rainbow is behind 

    him.

Also, some dolphins imitate the trainers' whistles (they make a screaming sound), and I think that's really cute. I also like how Tursi screams during some of her behaviors, as though she's making sure all eyes are on her. It was also funny seeing this one dolphin Pandora carrying around a target pole in her flipper. All the dolphins are awesome in some way.

I also got to see the sea lions: Kilo, Karen, and Lina. This not only let me see how sea lions are trained, but also the difference in training techniques between the two different species of marine mammals. 

As for my group, I met some really nice people. A lot of them had the same interest as me. Also, during the nights sometimes they went to the beach. I tagged along for two of those drives.

We also did some cool activities, from a funny training game (using target poles and whistles), to snorkeling in the coral reefs.

There are several ways to support DRC. You can make a donation, or you can adopt a dolphin. No, you can't take it home with you, but the money you pay goes directly towards caring for that dolphin. When you adopt, you get a neat photo of your dolphin. During my DolphinLab program, I adopted Louie. 

Isn't he adorable???

In conclusion, Dolphin Research Center is a wonderful place. They do everything to take care of dolphins, and to support and promote conservation. I really enjoyed doing DolphinLab. I gained great knowledge and experience that will help me in my future career as a marine mammal trainer. I look forward to returning for Advanced DolphinLab. I will also consider this place for an internship, and even a job (if I don't end up working at SeaWorld right away after college). DRC is amazing, and if you ever find yourself in the Florida Keys, definitely check it out!!!

To learn more about Dolphin Research Center, go to www.dolphins.org.

Summer Update

Hey everyone, I thought I'd give an update. So far, my summer has been pretty neat. I've been exercising (an important task towards my dream job), doing college work, and relaxing. The main drawback is the occasional rain, but other than that, it's been great.

I have exciting plans for the summer. This coming August, I'll be doing the DolphinLab program at the Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key, Florida. I am very excited. Also, I am trying to save up for my Journey with the Gentle Giants in Georgia Aquarium. I can just imagine swimming amidst the whale sharks and manta rays, as well as many other fish.

Seaworld-wise, as you all may or may not know, Kasatka (an orca in SeaWorld San Diego) gave birth to a male calf a few months ago, and recently, he has been named Makani. I think that's a pretty neat name. I've never been to SeaWorld San Diego, but I hope to go one day. It would make my day to see Kasatka's new calf.

Going back to my summer, it has been pretty great overall, and I hope it continues to stay this way.

Scuba Certified!!!

Hey everyone, its Alberto. I am so sorry for the delay in posts. I got caught up in school work, and that made it hard to keep up with the blog.

Anyway, on February 10th, I became scuba certified. This is a big step towards my dream as a dolphin or whale trainer. The whole experience was fun.

I did my training at Upstate Scuba in Clemson, SC.

The course began on January. My classmates and I spent four weeks (once a week) doing pool training and reviewed academic knowledge.

On one memorable night, I was trying to sink down to the bottom of the pool, and I ended up sinking so fast that when my feet touched the bottom, I couldn't stop and my tank clanked against the floor. It was kinda funny. Another funny moment on that same night was when I was at the surface swimming for the ladder, and the lane divider was in the way, so I tried to dive under and I couldn't get my tank under the line. Plus, I had swapped my regulator for my snorkel, so when I tried to dive under, I ended up breathing in water through the snorkel. I switched for the regulator, and tried again, and I still got stuck. Finally, I sank down, and managed to get past the lane divider.

On the fourth week my classmates and I took a written test which we all passed with flying colors.

On February the 9th, we did our first three dives at Lake Keowee. It was mainly reviewing the skills practiced in the pool. On the second dive, a fish swam in front of my instructor's face. It was pretty funny.

On the tenth, we did our last two lake dives, after which we headed back to the store where we got our DiveLogs stamped. As of that day, I am now a certified diver.

I had a truly amazing experience. As a diver, I hope to do more dives, including a dive with the whale sharks at Georgia Aquarium. By becoming scuba certified, i have also fulfilled an important requirement for my future career as a SeaWorld trainer.

If you ever want to learn how to Scuba dive, whether its for a job, or just for fun, go to www.divessi.com to find a dive center near you. Hopefully I'll see you during one of my dives in the time to come.

My Spring Break SeaWorld Visit

Hey, it's Alberto. During spring break, I went to SeaWorld Orlando. It was my first visit in years. I got to see One Ocean, Blue horizons, and even Shamu Rocks (and I got really wet).

I even got to swim with a dolphin at Discovery Cove.

Who am I? What has inspired me to become a trainer?

Hi, I am Alberto. I am new to the Blogger community, and it is great to be able to have my own blog

I really want to become a dolphin or whale trainer at SeaWorld. I would like to tell you the story of what got me into this field.

Way back in 2003, I visited SeaWorld Orlando with my family. We didn't get to see the killer whales, but we got to see the dolphins, sharks, penguins, and we did go to the Wild Arctic. Since that day, the memory grew on me to the point where in 2006, when I was just finishing ninth grade, I found myself browsing around the SeaWorld website. I eventually found a link to Shamu.com (it's now just a page with webcams). On this site, I read what trainers had written about how much they loved their jobs, and I started thinking about being a trainer myself. Finally, during tenth grade, I went to Miami Seaquarium with my sister, dad, and cousin. I saw the two dolphin shows (Flipper show and Top Deck show), the sea lion show, and even Lolita the killer whale. I began to realize how fascinated I was about these animals and the way trainers trained and cared for them. With that, I decided that I should be an animal trainer.

Today, I am following the steps that will lead me to this goal. SeaWorld trainers have one the most incredible jobs, and it's my dream to be in their shoes one day.

Bring Back Waterwork

Hi, this is Alberto. This post goes out to all SeaWorld fans and supporters.

Following the death of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau on February 24, 2010, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined SeaWorld for several safety violations. Now, they want to keep trainers out of the water for good. OSHA should reconsider their decision.

SeaWorld trainers maintain close relationships with their killer whales. Up until February 2010, trainers have always spent time in the water with them. This interaction stimulates the whales, and strengthens their relationships with their trainers. For every new trainer, waterwork is what brings them closer to the whales. A lack of this interaction limits the bond that trainers have with these animals.

SeaWorld trainers know the risks of working with killer whales. That is why they do what they can to keep everyone safe. Until February 2010, new trainers would not begin waterwork until there was enough trust between them and the whales. Today, SeaWorld is working on revising their safety procedures, as well as obtaining new safety equipment in order to prevent future incidents involving orcas and trainers.

In conclusion, OSHA should not keep SeaWorld trainers from re-entering the water with killer whales. Trainers should be allowed to resume waterwork as soon as SeaWorld finishes revising it's safety procedures, and obtaining it's new safety equipment. The orcas have an amazing bond with their trainers,  but the lack of waterwork is an obstacle in this bond.

Please sign this petition to help convince OSHA to let SeaWorld resume waterwork with their killer whales. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/let-sea-world-trainers-back-in-the-water-with-killer-whales/
Please spread the word. I need all the support I can get.