Cutting the Rosca at Dolphin Discovery

Dolphin Discovery is pleased to continue one of our own traditions. Many children of limited means may not receive a visit from the Three Kings this year and we aim to make a difference in the lives of these kids. Each year Dolphin Discovery delivers toys to orphanages and underprivileged regions to bring smiles to children on this special day. This year our own “Three Kings” in Cancun are bringing toys to the Casa Hogar San Jose, Casa Hogar de la Esperanza and various underprivileged neighbourhoods.

Toys for all the girls and boys for "Dia de Reyes"

Dolphin Discovery Staff Ready to Share Smiles

Happy Three Kings Day to all, spread the smiles, do something kind for a child today!

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Whale watching with Dolphin Discovery

Weighing up to 73,000 pounds and measuring up to 50 feet, the gray whale in the Pacific Ocean is a spectacle to see. Every fall, the gray whale makes the longest migration of any mammal—a 6,000 mile journey from cold waters of Alaska and Siberia to the warm ocean of Baja California. The whales leave their home and arrive in late December to escape the chilly winter and take refuge to birth their young. They make the Pacific Ocean their home from January to March, offering us the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see them up close in their habitat. Watching these awe-inspiring creatures is a sight not to be missed.

Breaching, whale watching in Los Cabos

During the tour, you might be a spectator to a number of behaviors. While you’re on the boat, keep an eye out for spouting, the visible exhaling of air by the whale. This is the first indication of the proximity of whales. Another whale behavior is breaching: when the whale leaps out of the water and falls back with a splash. Whales are constantly moving and can remain underwater from two to five minutes, meaning you have to keep your eyes open and anticipate their direction so you will be ready for the next breach and sprout. Your guides will also be able to tell you where to look as they have become experts in reading whale behavior. While on the tour, you might also see the whales showing their flukes, and hear them sounding their whale song. The most exciting and thrilling behavior is spy-hopping. The whale pushes itself up to the surface of the water until he can see his surroundings. The curious creature comes face-to-face with its observers as you look at him.

Spy-hopping Whale Watching Tour

Although the gray whale is the most popular species, Los Cabos whale watching tours are rich because there might be the chance of seeing an even greater variety of animals. The tour is also available in Vallarta.

Dolphin Discovery takes you on this exciting whale watching tour in Los Cabos and Vallarta on a small boat, zodiac, giving us the ability to move in closer and faster to get an eye-to-eye close up with these stunning and beautiful animals.

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Manatee Family Dolphin Discovery Riviera Maya

Dolphin Discovery is celebrating another incredible milestone in our continuing efforts to protect and conserve endangered  marine animals. It was ten years ago that our team of biologists first participated in the rescue of manatees in Mexico. In 2001, Dolphin Discovery was invited to the state of Tabasco where a group of manatees were living in very poor conditions in a polluted lake. The animals were suffering horribly, extremely malnourished and in desperate need of assistance. Manatees are an endangered species and it was with a sense of urgency that the Dolphin Discovery team joined authorities from the federal government in the rescue operation. The delicate mission was successful, the biologists rescued “Romeo and Juliet”, and brought them back to the Dolphin Discovery facilities in Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya for rehabilitation and medical care.

“The Story of Tuuch” a moving video of the rescue of a baby manatee
(”Tuuch” has since been renamed Roberto & is enjoying a fine life in the Riviera Maya)

Since then, Romeo and Juliet have not only survived, but have thrived in their new home. The couple has created a beautiful family through the Dolphin Discovery breeding program, becoming parents to three offspring (as well as fostering the rescued baby “Roberto” and taking him in as their own). The manatee family at Dolphin Discovery has grown over the years through other rescue operations, a testament to the skill and care of our team of biologists and scientists, led by Dr. Roberto Sanchez and their dedication to the preservation of this endangered species.

If you are in Cancun this week, join us in Parque las Palapas downtown for a celebration of our ten years of caring for these noble creatures. November 17, 18 and 19th from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm you can meet members of our team and enjoy activities for the whole family.

We invite you to meet our manatee friends in the Riviera Maya, Cozumel and Isla Mujeres in our unique manatee encounter programs, learn about these gentle giants and even give them a little kiss, it is an experience you will never forget.

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Katty Rosado of Dolphin Discovery presenting a cheque to the fine ladies of APAFHDEM

Dolphin Discovery made a commitment to contribute one peso to APAFDHEM for each sweepstakes entry , and over 1000 entries were received. We feel so strongly about this wonderful organization that we delivered a cheque for 5000 pesos to this worthwhile Cancun charity.

APAFHDEM Piñata Workshop

APAFHDEM is a non-profit organization that provides occupational opportunities to intellectually disabled adults. They have created a vibrant atmosphere where each individual is able to contribute to making beautiful piñatas, helping in the kitchen or working in the onsite bakery. Their mission statement is ¨Contributing to a decent quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities, promoting their full development and integration as productive members of society¨.

Once again, we thank you all for participating in the Dolphin Discovery Sweepstakes, please take a moment to ¨like¨ the APAFHDEM Facebook page and spread the word about this tremendous organization.

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Join us in the Riviera Maya on October 5th, 2011 at 11 am for a little lettuce birthday cake and the singing of “Las Mañanitas” (the traditional birthday song in Mexico) to Edgarin. If you can’t make the party, you can still make friends with Edgarin in our Sea Life Discovery Plus program where you’ll swim with dolphins, sea lions and of course, the manatees.

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Dolphin Discovery Cozumel is pleased to to announce that we have received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence, which honors top-rated lodging businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by travelers on the world’s largest travel site. To qualify, businesses must maintain an average rating of four or higher out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor. Additional criteria include volume of reviews and how recently they have been submitted by TripAdvisor travelers.

“The TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence program gives exceptional businesses in a variety of different industries around the world the recognition they deserve,” said Christine Petersen, president of TripAdvisor for Business. “From top-rated restaurants in Boston to top-rated attractions in Barcelona, we want to applaud these businesses for offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience.”

The Dolphin Discovery Cozumel staff are dedicated to providing guests with the experience of a lifetime. From our reservations department to food and beverage and of course our incredible trainers, each member of the team has contributed to this award of excellence from Trip Advisor.  We thank all of you, our guests, the award means so much knowing that it was the positive response of travelers that brought us this recognition.  Congratulations team!

Dolphin Discovery Cozumel facilities are located inside Chankanaab National Park. The swim with dolphins programs participants and their companions are invited to to relax, enjoy good food and cool beverages, snorkel the reefs, giggle at the sea lions show and participate in other activities inChankanaab, or go out and explore the island by themselves before or after their interactive program.

Schedule: Cozumel location is open Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Contact the Dolphin Discovery reservations department to book your dolphin swim experience!

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“It’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have…One pair that see through closed doors. Another in the back of her head…and, of course, the ones in front that can look at a child when he goofs up and reflect ‘I understand and I love you’ without so much as uttering a word.” -Erma Bombeck

Flowers, domestic appliances and cards crafted from macaroni spelling “I love you mom”, it’s the time of year once again where we celebrate the most tireless of creatures, “the mother”.  Countries around the world will take a day to honour the women who have made us who we are, tended to our scraped knees, forced us to eat our vegetables and provided us with a home full of love.  While the world celebrates “human” mommies, Dolphin Discovery would like to take a moment to tell you all about dolphin mamas and the ways they care for their young.

Pregnancy and birth-  There is no real “season” for dolphin pregnancies, births happen all year long around the world.  Gestation period is one year, yes, twelve long months (thanks mom!).  Females have the ability to bear calves every two years, though three to six years is more common.  Births happen in the water, usually tail-first though nose-first births occur occasionally.  Sometimes a dolphin “aunt” is present at the birth to assist the mother and to provide support (breathe, push, breathe!) Baby dolphins generally weigh around 20 kgs/45 lbs and measure around 100 cm/40 inches in length. The fins of the newborn dolphin are generally pliable and slightly “floppy”, but they gradually become firm.

Caring for a young dolphin- Newborn dolphins stick very close to their mothers, never leaving their side and following their every move.  They learn how to swim and maneuver in the water, and use their mother’s “slipstream” to facilitate their swimming. They nurse below the water, as often as four times an hour for about five to ten seconds per time.  Baby dolphins are completely reliant on mother’s milk for at least the first six months of their lives until they learn how to hunt for fish and may nurse for up to 18 months.  The bond between a mother dolphin and her offspring is strong, a calf typically spends 3 to 6 years close to mom.

Dolphin Discovery is so proud of all our dolphin moms and the human moms on our team as well.  We are family and we welcome your family to join us in our Mother’s Day celebrations.  We’ve got some great Mother’s Day discounts on swim with dolphins programs, what better way to show mom you love her than by sharing the experience of a lifetime with the best moms in the ocean?

Congratulations mommies, felicidades and THANK YOU for all that you do!

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“The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums is an international association representing marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study, and wildlife presentations……..The Alliance administers a stringent accreditation process for its members. Accredited members must uphold Alliance Standards and Guidelines to optimize the psychological and physical health of, and environmental conditions for, individual marine mammals under their care, and to maximize the educational and scientific value of their collections as a whole. - AMMPA

Dolphin Discovery is dedicated to providing the highest standards of care to all our marine animals in addition to maintaining a clean, safe and welcoming environment for our guests.  Our interactive dolphin programs are designed to be educational as well as fun, sharing our knowledge of these amazing marine animals and discussing the importance of conservation and the environment.  Every member of the Dolphin Discovery team strives to be the best and to get better everyday, from our reservations department to the trainers to the veterinarians to the maintenance crew, ensuring the health and well being of the animals in our care and the enjoyment of our guests.  The AMMPA accreditation acknowledges the efforts of everyone at Dolphin Discovery, it is an honor to be recognized by this esteemed organization.  Congrats team!

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Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos

Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos is open for business!  February 14th, 2011 was a day to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the inauguration of Dolphin Discovery’s newest location.

“It must be love….this is this motto that best represents our opening on February 14th and that best describes the emotional bond between dolphins and humans” said Eduardo Albor, General Director of the Dolphin Discovery Group in his announcement for the opening of Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos in Puerto Los Cabos. “This project is done in partnership with the Questro Group in the beautiful destination of Puerto Los Cabos in what is the only dolphinarium in a natural environment in the Mexican Pacific”

Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos Opening Day Orientation

This Project is the tenth dolphinarium from the Dolphin Discovery Group, designed in a natural environment in the waters of the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Los Cabos, surrounded by lush greenery and soaring palm trees, a striking contrast to the cactus and nopales of the región. Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos is home to six Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, Titan, Triton, Eva, Shelly, Scarlett and Ixchel. The facility has the capacity to receive up to 300 visitors per day, welcoming guests looking to live the extraordinary experience of swimming with dolphins in the most beautiful dolphinarium in the Mexican Pacific.

“Our interactive programs were designed to allow guests to enjoy maximum interaction with these fascinating mammals in a natural environment like that of Los Cabos, learning about their care, their way of life, their anatomy and they come away with the experience of a lifetime, conscious of the importance of taking care of the environment and the species which inhabit our planet” said Edgar Urbina, Corporate Director of Trainers for the Dolphin Discovery Group. “The dolphins could not be in a better place and they have adjusted perfectly to their new home since their arrival on February 5th”.

Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos Opening Day

Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos is now welcoming new friends and sharing the experience of a lifetime in this prestigious destination.  With three interactive dolphin swimming programs, we have something for everyone. The Dolphin Encounter program is ideal for families with young children and the Dolphin Royal Swim is perfect for those looking for an adventure in adrenaline.  We invite you all to join us in the Mexican Pacific’s only dolphinarium set in a natural environment, enjoy a dolphin kiss and take home memories that will last a lifetime.

For more photos of our beautiful new location, visit Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos.

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San Jose del Cabo

“Cabo“.  One little word packs a powerful punch, its meaning is clear as soon as it is uttered.  “Cabo“.  Beaches, deep blue sea, luxurious celebrity getaway and now the home of the newest Dolphin Discovery location!

Located on the southern tip of Baja California, Cabo is a popular destination for sun lovers looking for a very special vacation escape.  Luxurious hotels and homes line the shore, offering distinguished accommodations for travellers to enjoy the spectacular views.  “El Arco de Cabo San Lucas” is perhaps the most recognizable landmark in Cabo, a stunning rock formation where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez and where the sea lions love to congregate.  The winter months bring pods of whales to the area, offering travellers an opportunity to witness the majesty of these gigantic sea creatures.  There is much to enjoy in Los Cabos, golf, fishing, sailing, water sports, shopping and fine dining, and of course, meeting the Cabo dolphins at Dolphin Discovery!

Dolphin Discovery Cabo invites you to join us as we launch our newest dolphinarium on February 14th, 2011.  You’ll find us near the “Marina at Puerto Los Cabos” in San Jose de Cabo, an area rich in pirate history and now famous for the world-class fishing excursions.  We look forward to becoming a part of the community and to sharing our love for dolphins and marine animals with a whole new group of friends and visitors.  We hope to see you soon in Dolphin Discovery Cabo!

(photo courtesy http://www.adventure-travel.org.uk/)

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