Dolphin Swimming

Sea Lion Facts

// July 19th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Sea Life, Vallarta

Everyone loves sea lions, aside from being so handsome, they seem to have a great sense of humour, always making us laugh.  So, what do you know about sea lions?  Let’s have a look at some facts….

–Sea lions are found all over the world, from the Arctic to New Zealand, usually found along rocky coasts where there are rich food sources such as sardines, herring, capelin and squid.

–Sea lions can be distinguished from seals by their visible external ear flaps.

–Sea lions are “pinnipeds’, meaning they have “winged feet”.

–Sea lions are amphibious, they live on both land and water.

–Sea lions are “marine mammals”, meaning they do not lay eggs but do in fact carry and give birth to their young.  Males are “bulls”, females are “cows” and babies are called “pups”.

–Sea lions have a lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild, but in a healthy zoological environment can live 25-35 years.

–Sea lion mamas gestate for 10-12 months.  Their pups are born on land and will nurse from their mother from 4-12 months.

–Sea lions are warm blooded, covered in a layer of fat to protect them from cold temperatures.

–Sea lions breathe air, but can remain under water for up to 40 minutes if hunting for food, accomplished by squeezing their nostrils shut tight.

–Sea lions are very communal, usually living in large colonies of up to 1000, with smaller communities appearing within the group.

–Sea lions aren’t lazy, but they sure do love to hang around on the rocks and bask in the sun.

–Sea lions are intelligent and easy to train, the military has been training them for years for rescue operations in the sea.

–The biggest dangers to sea lions are fishermen, pollution and climate change.  Their predators are killer whales and sharks, though they can swim faster than both they can be taken by surprise.

Dolphin Discovery invites you to get up close and personal with these sweet creatures, our sea lion friends can be found in the following destinations:

Sea Lions Isla Mujeres

Sea Lions Cozumel

Sea Lions Riviera Maya

Sea Lions Puerto Vallarta

Get a hug, a fishy kiss and you will most definitely walk away smiling from your Sea Lion Encounter with Dolphin Discovery!

Please remember to keep our oceans and beaches clean, plastic bags, six-pack rings, garbage of all kinds is very damaging to the sea lions and their environment.  Do what you can to protect our precious marine life, go for a walk on the beach and pick up trash, educate your children, spread the word that if we each do our small part, all earth’s creatures will have a brighter future.

Happy Birthday to Robert the Baby Manatee!

// June 3rd, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, News, Riviera Maya, Sea Life

May 30th, 2009, Dolphin Discovery received a call from Ecosur to come to the assistance of a baby manatee discovered alone in a river in the state of Yucatan.  He was only one or two days old and had been abandoned by his mother, without help there was no way he was going to survive.  A team of veterinarians and marine biologists from Dolphin Discovery hurried to rescue this sweet creature and brought him to the facilities in Puerto Aventuras in a critical state.  He was dubbed “Tuuch”, the Mayan word for “belly button” as his umbilical cord was still attached.

Tuuch was introduced to Julieta in Puerto Aventuras, a mature female manatee who was still nursing her one year old baby.  Despite efforts to get Tuuch to nurse, Julieta could not produce enough milk and the team had to resort to bottle feeding the baby manatee to provide him the nutrients he so desperately needed.  Over the next few months, the veterinary team monitored Tuuch, treating digestive issues and continuing with the bottle feeding.  Despite his failure to grow over the first two months, the team did not give up, they gave him the highest levels of medical care, nutrition, stimulation and love, working with him 24 hours a day.  He learned to socialize with the other manatees who accepted him into their little family and he learned how to play, he loves his toys!  By September, he began eating lettuce and vegetables and a whole new world opened to this beautiful little guy.  In January of 2010, he was able to permanently join the other manatees in their lagoon in Puerto Aventuras and he continued to improve and thrive.  In February he was renamed “Robert” after head veterinarian Dr. Roberto Sanchez.

In November the Dolphin Discovery “Team Tuuch” was honoured by IMATA, receiving awards and recognition for their team work and conservation efforts with their rescued manatee.  All of us at Dolphin Discovery are proud of the team, we are grateful for their expertise and tireless dedication in the rehabilitation of Robert.

One year later and Robert is doing great!  He’s participating in encounters with our guests, eating well and continuing to grow.  This week Dolphin Discovery threw a little party for Robert, bringing him a cake of lettuce and fruit, singing “Happy Birthday” and inviting local school children to join in the festivities.  Local artist Allan Vazquez created a beautiful portrait of Robert and invited the children to add their handprints for posterity.  We wish Robert a very happy birthday and many, many more!

Join us in Puerto Aventuras for our Sea Life Circle Manatee program and you can get a kiss from our dear Robert!  Enjoy some time swimming with him, giving him a hug and share a little lettuce with him.  He will welcome you with open flippers!

Please take a moment to enjoy this video dedicated to Tuuch/Robert, it’s a moving journey of love, dedication and hope….

Interview with a Dolphin Trainer

// May 31st, 2010 // View Comments // About Dolphins, Cancun / Isla Mujeres, News, Riviera Maya

Dolphin Discovery’s trainers are used to hearing “You’ve got the best job in the world!” from guests and this week I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of our trainers to find out if indeed that is the case.  Alex Mata invited me to experience life as a trainer for a morning and was gracious enough to sit down with me and tell me about himself and his life as a marine animal trainer.

Alex Mata is the Corporate Educative Trainer for Dolphin Discovery.  He’s originally from Spain and began his career in Europe before coming to Dolphin Discovery in Mexico six years ago.  He chose Dolphin Discovery for its outstanding corporate training department with over 100 educational courses, an ideal place to develop and grow in his career. He now works alongside expert veterinarians and biologists who push everyone to be better trainers and better people, something that sets Dolphin Discovery apart from other organizations in the world. With his expertise, knowledge and true passion for the animals and the organization, he is now in a position to train the trainers and realize his dream of devoting his life to marine animals.

We asked our fans and followers on Facebook and Twitter to post their questions for Alex, here’s what we discovered.

1.  How do you become a dolphin trainer?  What makes a good dolphin trainer?

First and foremost, being a dolphin trainer is not a job, it is a career and a calling.  It is not necessary to have a degree, though it is beneficial to have studied marine biology, veterinary medicine or psychology.  Trainers must have excellent swimming skills, a love for dolphins, the ability to speak English, a great personality for customer service and most importantly, passion.  It takes about three years to obtain the title of “Trainer”, with hours spent in educational courses, 1 1/2 years as an apprentice and 1 1/2 years as an assistant.  Dolphin Discovery has approximately 100 different educational courses and trainers are required to constantly be expanding their knowledge and improving their skills.  Long days, hard work, sleepless nights, hot sun and pouring rain, the work isn’t always easy but for those who truly love what they do, it’s always a pleasure.

2.  Do you love the dolphins?  What’s the best experience you’ve had at Dolphin Discovery?

Alex smiled when I asked these questions and replied quickly to the first with an “Of course, absolutely!”.  For the second question he pondered for a moment and then replied “Swimming with ten baby dolphins at the same time in Puerto Aventuras”.  He described the ten babies as super playful, swimming circles around him, vocalizing loudly and teasing him into joining in their games.

3.  How do you communicate with the dolphins?  Can you tell if a dolphin is happy/sad/angry?

Since humans have yet to be able to translate the language of dolphins, the trainers communicate with them through body language, hand gestures and whistles.  The dolphins regard the whistle as a “reward”, for them it means “Good job!” and they love to hear it.  Dolphins express their emotions through their own body language and vocalizations, each in their own way.  Once a trainer gets to know a particular dolphin, they can see when they are feeling excited or are getting frustrated, if they are eager to play or if they prefer to be left alone.

4.  What’s the worst part of the job?

Being in Cancun during hurricane season adds extra pressure to the staff to work together, think quickly and stay calm as they move the animals to a safe environment.  The dolphins come first, as a dolphin trainer at Dolphin Discovery you are commited to the animals and in an emergency they are the number one priority.

5.  After feeding fish to the dolphins all day, do you still enjoy eating fish?

“Ummmm, no, I don’t eat fish anymore.”

6.  What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

It seems Alex’s home life is not that much different from his work life.  He lives in Cancun with his girlfriend (also an animal trainer, specializing in birds) and their 2 dogs, a chameleon, an iguana, a cockatoo, a macaw and 3 toucans and spends his days off hanging at home with the animals.

So, is it the best job in the world?  It sure seems that way!  Alex spoke enthusiastically about his “family” at Dolphin Discovery, he eagerly answered even my most basic questions and he patiently walked me through the routines of the day.  It was an honor for me to spend time with someone so knowledgeable and so obviously in love with dolphins (and manatees and sea lions and stingrays and sharks and animals in general!)  I learned so much and am inspired by his passion, thank you so very much Alex, can we do it again soon?

Dolphin Discovery- Mother’s Day Specials

// May 4th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Discounts, Grand Cayman, Locations, Riviera Maya, Tortola, Vallarta

Mexico is a country known for its devotion to the family, and no family member is more revered than “Mama”.  Every year on May 10th the entire country pays homage to matriarchs with the annual “Dia de las Madres” or “Mother’s Day” celebrations.  Young children create cards and gifts and adult children bring flowers and treat their mothers to very special dinners and parties.  The traditional song “Las Mananitas” is sung, often as a serenade outside of mother’s house with mariachis for accompaniment.   “Mama” is the center of attention and the whole family shows her their appreciation on this very special day.  Mothers have been honoured throughout the ages around the world, but the first official “Dia de las Madres” in Mexico wasn’t celebrated until May 10th, 1922 as a result of the petitions by  Rafael Alducin Bedolla, founder of the newspaper “Excelsior”.  We thank him for bringing us such a special day and we thank moms everywhere for all that they do!

Dolphin Discovery would like to show moms just how special they are by offering a 20% discount to mothers on all our swim with dolphins programs in all our locations for the entire month of May!  Guests swimming with their mom get an additional 10% off their own swims too!  Treat your mom to an experience she’ll never forget, book now!  Lots of love to moms everywhere from all our dolphins!

New Programs! Swim with dolphins, manatees and sea lions in the Riviera Maya

// April 12th, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, Riviera Maya, Sea Life

At Dolphin Discovery we love all the creatures of the sea, not just dolphins!  We are excited to be able to share these magical creatures with you, our guests, you’ll learn about marine animals and enjoy some special moments with some very different friends from the sea .  For those of you looking for a new experience and to learn something new, we’ve created the Sea Life Circle programs in the Riviera Maya.

Sea Lion Hug Puerto Aventuras

Sea Life Circle Sea Lions brings you up close and personal with the fabulous, funny jokers of the sea.  You’ll be able to touch and kiss the sea lions and they’ll make you laugh until your sides hurt with their crazy antics.  Sea Life Circle also includes the most popular dolphin swim at Dolphin Discovery, the adrenaline-filled Dolphin Royal Swim.  In addition, you’ll be able to visit the underwater world as you snorkel with stingrays, a complete package of marine animal fun!

Sea Life Circle Manatees includes the Dolphin Royal Swim, snorkeling with stingrays and the opportunity to swim with the gentle giants of the sea, the manatees.  Manatees, often known as sea cows are huge herbivores and you’ll be invited to feed them, swim with them and stroke the animals that sailors often mistook for mermaids. Learn something new and make a new friend!

Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to be able to give you the chance not only to have an exciting adventure, but to learn something new and create awareness of our marine animal friends.  Visit our location in Puerto Aventuras to meet the dolphins, sea lions, manatees and stingrays and have the experience of a lifetime!

Exclusive Swim with Dolphins Program in the Riviera Maya!

// March 25th, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, News, Riviera Maya

Dolphin Discovery is pleased to announce a new program at our Puerto Aventuras dolphinarium in the Riviera Maya.  The Dolphin Magic Swim brings you speed, action, excitement and more free time with the dolphins than any other swim with dolphins program!  You’ll join the dolphins in the water for your orientation briefing, giving you an extra twenty minutes with the dolphins.  We want to maximize your experience,  seizing every special moment with your new friends.  Dolphin Magic Swim participants will enjoy a dolphin handshake, a lovely kiss, the high-speed dorsal tow and the adrenaline rush of the foot push in addition to lots of free time with the dolphins.  Groups are limited to only 10 people, ensuring an up close and personal experience, don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity!

The Dolphin Magic Swim is exclusively sold online through our website, you will not be able to purchase this anywhere else!  Contact Dolphin Discovery’s bilingual customer service representatives to schedule your Dolphin Magic Swim and guarantee your space in this special program, the dolphins are waiting for you!

ABC Animal Training Workshop 2010

// March 9th, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, News, Riviera Maya

Dolphin Discovery is pleased to announce the dates for the 2010 ABC Animal Training Workshop in our Puerto Aventuras facility.  If you’ve ever dreamed of being a dolphin trainer, here’s your chance to learn from the best in paradise!

What is the ABC Animal Training Workshop?

This five day animal training course is cutting edge,  designed to give you the skills you need to be a successful dolphin trainer.  The workshop is led by Shelley Wood, an expert in the field of animal training.  Shelley has been working as a dolphin trainer since 1990 and is currently the Corporate Trainer Educator for Dolphin Discovery and the owner of ABC Animal Training Systems.  Shelley holds bachelor of science degrees in Biology and Wildlife Management and is on the board of directors for IMATA (International Marine Animal Trainers Assocation).  Her expertise ensures the highest level of instruction while her vibrant personality guarantees you’ll have fun while you learn.

The 2010 ABC Animal Training Workshop is being held at Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras in the Riviera Maya, Mexico from May 31 to June 4th.  The deadline for registration is April 15th, but book early to guarantee your spot!  Participants in the program receive personalized, small group training as they learn to understand the science and application of operant conditioning.  The program includes 5 days of training at the Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras location, the ABC Animal Training Packet (2 DVD set, study guide, reinforcement pouch and training clicker), hands-on training with a variety of marine animals, a swim with dolphins experience and behind the scenes access to Dolphin Discovery.  Gain skills, build your resume and develop relationships with experts in the world of animal training, this is an exciting opportunity!

The program offers two levels, the basic course is $1000 USD and the advanced workshop is $1100.  In order to particpate in the advanced workshop, you must have completed the basic course and have one year experience working in the field of marine animal training.  Participants of the program must make their own travel arrangements, the Catalonia Riviera Maya resort is recommended for it’s location and price.  Puerto Aventuras is located south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, you will need to arrange transportation from the airport.  Please remember that you will need to have a valid passport to travel to Mexico!

For more information and to register for the workshop, please visit the ABC Animal Training website or contact Shelley Wood.

Puerto Aventuras, Mexico

// December 7th, 2009 // View Comments // Locations, Riviera Maya

Puerto Aventuras, one of Dolphin Discovery’s favourite homes, is a resort community located in the Riviera Maya south of Playa del Carmen and north of Tulum.  Known affectionately as “Puerto”, this little hideaway is a community unto itself, with condos, beach-front villas, luxury resorts, restaurants, banks, pharmacies and a grocery store,  just steps from a beautiful stretch of the white sands famous in the Mexican Caribbean.  One of the most unique aspects of Puerto Aventuras is the full service marina, the only marina between Cancun and Belize capable of accomodating just about any size yacht or boat.  The marina is conveniently located near the golf and tennis courts as well as the Dolphin Discovery facility.  History buffs should definitely pay a visit to the CEDAM museum which offers a collection of artifacts from the famous ship wreck of the Matancero and archaeological pieces from the region.  Staying in Puerto Aventuras puts you right in the midst of all the action in the Riviera Maya, close to the eco-parks of Xelha and Xcaret, the ruins of Tulum and adventures exploring caverns and cenotes like Aktunchen.  Puerto Aventuras has it all, with fine dining, spa services, dive shops, boutiques, deep sea fishing, just about anything your heart desires can be found in this safe and beautiful destination.

Dolphin Discovery Riviera Maya is pleased to be the center of attention in Puerto Aventuras. The calm lagoon enclosure just off the Caribbean Sea ensures a natural environment for your encounter with the dolphins.  The dolphins have some friends with them too, in our Sea Life Discovery Plus program we invite you to interact with manatees and sea lions in addition to your experience of a lifetime with the dolphins!  Family fun and a day you will never forget await you in Puerto Aventuras, come on down and play with us!