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Dolphin Discovery “Trainer for Life”
// August 24th, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, Riviera Maya
Looking for the ultimate experience with marine animals in the Mexican Caribbean? Join us at Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras for the “Trainer for Life” program and enjoy an incredible adventure that you’ll remember for a lifetime!
The “Trainer for Life” program brings you and your family a full day of educational fun and excitement. Puerto Aventuras in the Riviera Maya is your “classroom”, a lovely ocean-side village just south of Playa del Carmen with protected lagoons, waterways and a taste of the jungle flora and fauna. You’ll start your morning with a delicious continental breakfast, charging up your batteries and getting to know your trainer/guide/friend who will accompany you throughout the day. Now grab your hat and life jacket and let the festivities begin!
This is not just a swim with dolphins program, as a V.I.P. you’ll be invited to “trainers only” areas like the “fish house” to assist in preparing meals for the dolphins, you’ll take part in the daily physical exam of the marine animals and you’ll learn the signs and signals used by trainers. Your trainer will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about dolphins, sea lions and manatees. Your day includes the Dolphin Royal Swim, a Baby Dolphin Experience, the Sea Lion Encounter and the Manatee Encounter, a well rounded education in marine animals and a big big WOW of an experience. Participants in the “Trainer for Life” day receive a graduation photo with a dolphin friend, a t-shirt and a special certificate in recognition of your accomplishments and completion of the program. This is a day you will never, ever forget.
We invite you and your family to join us for this unique full day program. It’s open to anyone over 3′11″ tall, though unfortunately pregnant women are not permitted to participate. We ask you to please use biodegradable sunscreen to protect your skin and the environment, bring a hat and a wetsuit if you have one. The use of lifejackets is mandatory for all activities in the water. Breakfast and lunch are included, but bring a little extra cash for any extra cravings you may have and to purchase photos, videos and souvenirs.
We at Dolphin Discovery look forward to your visit and to sharing our love of marine animals with you!
Isla Mujeres: Destination Paradise
// August 5th, 2010 // View Comments // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Locations
photo courtesy www.isla-mujeres.com.mx
Laid back island life, coral reefs, stunning vistas,and gorgeous beaches, Isla Mujeres is a true paradise in every sense of the word. This tiny island off the coast of Cancun has a long history, going back to when it was a sacred sanctuary named “Ekab”, a place for the Maya people to honour Ixchel, the goddess of the moon and fertility. When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they named the island “Isla Mujeres” or “Island of Women” after discovering numerous clay figures and imagery of the Mayan goddess. In later years, Isla (as it’s affectionately known) became a refuge for pirates, including Henry Morgan and Jean Lafitte. The island’s most famous pirate was Fermin Antonio Mundaca, who left Spain and settled on Isla Mujeres in 1858. Mundaca fell in love with a much younger local woman and tried to woo her with his riches, but the young woman refused his advances. Legend states that Mundaca slowly went insane and died alone, leaving his large estate on Isla Mujeres to tell his tale for years to come. Modern day visitors can visit the grounds and ruins of the “Hacienda Mundaca” and walk the gardens of this old pirate land. For many years Isla Mujeres was a peaceful fishing village, sparsely inhabited and undeveloped until the tourism industry began to bring more and more travellers seeking relaxation to her shores.
Punta Sur Isla Mujeres
Today Isla Mujeres is a popular destination for travellers and a top day trip for visitors to Cancun and the Riviera Maya. The island is still a functioning fishing village, making it an ideal place to find some of the freshest, tastiest seafood in the Mexican Caribbean. While the island has grown to keep up with the demands for hotels and amenities, it still retains its small town charm. Getting around the island means golf carts, mopeds or taxis, self guided golf cart tours are a great way to see the island. “Downtown”is a few cozy streets that were built for walking, with intimate restaurants and local artisans selling their wares. The famous “Playa Norte” (”North Beach”) is by far one of the best beaches in Quintana Roo, soft white sands, palm trees and calm, crystal clear waters that offer the perfect place to float and forget the daily stresses. Beach bars offer lounge chairs and umbrellas and waiter service on the sand, everything at your fingertips to enjoy a relaxing day (or week or month). Visit “Punta Sur” (”South Point”) for some of the most spectacular scenery on the island, perch on the rocky cliffs, listening to the waves crashing on shore as you admire the huge iguanas that populate the rocks and the multitude of blues of the Caribbean Sea. Garrafon Park, on the west side of the island, is an ideal place to spend a day snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining or just hanging out in a hammock under a palm tree. The turtle sanctuary on Isla Mujeres allows visitors to get up close and personal with sea turtles and learn more about marine animal preservation and conservation.
Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres
Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to be a part of this island community. Getting to Isla is easy on our quick ferry from the hotel zone, our modern boats will bring you to the island in about 15 minutes. Our Isla Mujeres location has over 10000 square feet of natural ocean area for our family of dolphins, sea lions and manatees to frolic with fish and guests. Visitors to Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres are invited to enjoy our seaside pool, hang out in our hammock garden, have a few drinks at the palapa bar and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch as part of their day. Guests may also take tours of the island, snorkeling trips to the reef, or a jaunt down the road to Garrafon Park. Leave your worries behind on your all inclusive day at Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres, enjoy the sun and sea and live the experience of a lifetime in paradise!
ABC Animal Training Workshop Q & A with Shelley Wood
// July 20th, 2010 // View Comments // News
Dolphin Discovery takes great pride in having the best marine animal trainers in the world and in our continuing education programs for our training personnel. Having knowledgeable and passionate staff is vital in order to give our guests the ultimate experience and keep our dolphins and marine animals happy and healthy. Animal training guru Shelley Wood brings her ABC Animal Training Workshops to Dolphin Discovery and works closely with our staff to ensure the highest possible standards and to teach the next generation of trainers. I sat down with Shelley and did a little Q & A session with her to find out exactly what the ABC Animal Training Workshop is all about.
ABC Basic Workshop 2010 Riviera Maya
1. What is the ABC workshop? Who can join?
The ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy is a unique, one of a kind, hands-on, get in the water, totally fun workshop with marine mammals. The workshop is for anyone interested in learning about how we communicate to animals using Operant Conditioning. Registration for the Basic course is open to anyone over the age of 18 who is willing to get close and personal and learn about dolphins, sea lions and manatees. The Advanced course registration is for students who have successfully completed the Basic course and have 1 year’s professional animal experience.
2. What are the goals of the workshop and the benefits to the participants? Will this help get a job in the animal training field? Just for fun? Both?
The goals are for the students to walk away from both the workshops with not only practical understanding of animal- human communication using Operant Conditioning but have also had extensive experience with applying this knowledge. The students become empowered with their own ability to quickly learn and successfully demonstrate this by handling their own dolphins, sea lions and manatees. Along with this empowerment realization the students create personal, long lasting relationships with other training professionals and with the other students. These bonds are great support systems to encourage the students to live and follow their dreams. This is why our placement rate for Academy graduates in finding their dream job is high. Oh and yes, of course, it’s a lot of fun!
3. What’s a typical day/week like for the participants?
Typical day is about half time classroom and half time in water working with the animals. In addition to learning Operant Conditioning Basic students learn life skills, things like teamwork, resumes, interviews and more. The Advanced students really hone their skills with advanced training techniques. Husbandry training and Animal Care are common elements in both courses. Oh and did I mention fun?
4. Who is Shelley Wood?
I have extensive training experience with marine mammals and teaching trainers. My passion is teaching people how to kindly and efficiently train all animals living under human care to have the best quality of life, both mentally and physically. All animals deserve our utmost respect and we can demonstrate this respect for them by not only keeping them physically fit but keeping them mentally stimulated as well. I’m the owner and primary instructor for the ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy and I have created and produced the ABC Animal Training DVD and study guide for anyone to easily and quickly learn the science of Operant Conditioning to train any species of animal
Shelley Wood as "The Sea Lion"
5. Tell me about your products, what’s on the DVD?
ABC of Animal Training is a 2 DVD set and study guide that teaches the science of Operant Conditioning. Students learn best using all their senses. The DVDs provide great visual examples and the study guide gives the student the opportunity to read about what they have just seen in the videos and it is complete with worksheets and action items that follow each chapter. By using the ABC of Animal Training students learn by seeing, reading, writing and by doing. The DVDs also have some wonderful Training Time segments that were produced and written by my husband, Mike Wood. Mike has been in the training business since 1972 and this long history along with his humor provides great video material. My favorite Training Time is Grunge E. Backwater. Check him out!
6. What’s your favourite part of the workshops? Any funny experiences?
Without a doubt the favorite part of the workshops are the light bulb moments when the students become so empowered with their abilities that they begin to believe in the power of themselves; that their own dreams are a reality. I have seen this not only with the young students but with the older students, working professionals and retirees as well. Funny experiences? Its all fun, every single moment.
7. What are your animal training philosophies?
We talk about philosophies in both workshops; in fact it’s a thread we weave throughout the entire workshop so its difficult to squeeze into a few sentences. Basically my philosophy is to teach people to be the best trainers they can be, trainers who think not only about the entire learning experience of the animals living under human care but also about their teammates as well. We do not live nor work in isolated environments so we need to always work on positive relationships with our bosses and coworkers. All of these factors definitely can influence the animals who we are working for.
8. Most important aspect of being a trainer? Who makes a good trainer?
The question is not what makes a good trainer but what makes an excellent trainer. There are key elements to excellence and it’s woven into the philosophy that we briefly were talking about. It’s also woven onto all aspects of our lives and all our relationships. It’s not only mastering the science of Operant Conditioning but the Art of it as well. Take the workshops and you will begin to understand this process.
9. Have you met an animal you couldn’t train? Which animals are hardest/easiest to train? What behaviours are the easiest/hardest to implement in an animal?
All animals can be trained but I have personally met some difficult animals who have challenged my abilities. I am a better trainer because of these experiences. The ease or difficultness of training depends on the trainers skills set, experience and willingness to seek advise. Im glad you didn’t ask me about the human species…….
10. What do you see as the future of ABC workshops?
Dolphin Discovery has many locations both in Mexico and the Caribbean and they all provide unique opportunities for the Academy students. We would like to organize workshops at all facilities and to do workshops at many different times throughout the year. We are open to bringing the Academy to other institutions as well. For the 2011 schedule go to www.abcanimaltraining.com for more information.
BIG thanks to Shelley for taking the time to answer my questions. (And making me smile, Shelley is not only a guru with animals, but a fantastic “people person” too!) For more information check out the ABC Animal Training Workshop webpage or join the community on the ABC Animal Training Facebook page.
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:
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.
Grand Cayman Open Water Flowers Sea Swim
// June 25th, 2010 // View Comments // Grand Cayman, Locations, News
World Cup Soccer may be making headlines these days, but for folks on Grand Cayman Island the 18th annual Flowers Sea Swim was the focus last Saturday, June 19th, 2010. The one mile open water swim race had it’s most successful year ever, with a record setting 777 participants hitting the ocean and racing to the finish. Swimmers from around the world took to the waters of the famous Seven Mile Beach, vying for almost $100 000 in prizes, including swim with dolphins packages from Dolphin Discovery. The event attracted some of the world’s top athletes, including Olympians Shaune Fraser and Ian Crocker. As in past years, proceeds from the event went to charity, this year supporting the Sunrise Adult Training Center.
The overall winner of the 2010 race was Alex Meyer, a tremendous young athlete from Harvard University clocking in a spectacular time of 17.18 minutes, with 16 year old Eva Fabian coming in a very close second place at 17.47 minutes, both athletes setting records with their performances. Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman would like to congratulate all the participants on their remarkable achievements and we thank organizer and founder Frank Flowers and his daughter Dara Flowers-Burke for their incredible efforts in creating a world-class event for our island community. We look forward the future of the Flowers Sea Swim!
Boatswain’s Turtle Farm Grand Cayman Island
// June 23rd, 2010 // View Comments // Grand Cayman, Locations, Sea Life
Grand Cayman Island is famous for many things, the beautiful stretch of Seven Mile beach, great scuba diving, snorkeling at Stingray City, swimming with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery (of course!), rum cakes and Boatswain’s Turtle Farm. The history of the Cayman Islands is closely tied to turtles, the turtle appears on the flag, seal and currency of the islands. The relationship with the Caymans and turtles goes back to the 1600’s when Caribbean ships would stop at the island for provisions and to stock up on the abundance of turtle meat. The 17th century saw the beginnings of settlements in the Cayman Islands and turtling became a a main source of income and food for the new islanders. By the 1800’s, the population of turtles was in serious jeopardy and by the 1960’s they were all but extinct. In 1968 the Cayman Turtle Farm was established to raise turtles commercially and to research and preserve the sea turtles of the wild. While many of the turtles are still raised for food, thousands of sea turtles born at Boatswain’s are released to the sea, replenishing the wild population of these beautiful creatures.
Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman is pleased to have such a wonderful neighbour in West Bay and we invite you to pay them a visit before or after you swim with dolphins. The entrance fee to Boatswain’s Turtle Farm is included in all dolphin swim programs, allowing you to enjoy the turtle enclosures, the education center, the breeding pond, the touch tanks and all animal exhibits including the predator tank with sharks! If you wish to snorkel or enjoy the pools, these “wet” activities are available at a small extra charge. Boutiques and restaurants will satisfy your shopping and dining needs, purchase souvenirs for loved ones back home or simply sip an ice cold rum drink in paradise while nibbbling a Caribbean delicacy. Dolphin Discovery and Boatswain’s Turtle Farm are the ideal combination for a perfect day on Grand Cayman, a unique shore excursion for Caribbean cruisers, book now and make it an unforgettable part of your Caribbean vacation!
Sea Turtle Conservation in the Mexican Caribbean
// June 10th, 2010 // View Comments // Uncategorized
Every year thousands of sea turtles come to the shores of Mexico to lay their eggs on the beach before returning to the sea. Six species of turtles make the Mexican Caribbean their destination of choice, including the endangered Green Sea Turtles and Loggerheads. The nesting season begins in May and lasts through October, with the eggs hatching 50-60 days after being deposited in the sand. Not that long ago the turtles were hunted for their shells and meat, but thankfully the Mexican government placed them on the protected species list, implementing laws that make the theft of eggs and the killing of turtles punishable by jail time. Unfortunately, year after year erosion and contamination have spoiled some of their pristine nesting grounds, prompting animal organizations in the region to lend a helping hand to ensure the continued cycle of life of these peaceful creatures.
The Tortugranja (Turtle Farm) on Isla Mujeres is one of the organizations devoted to the conservation of the sea turtle. This scientific research center is funded almost exclusively by private donations, relying on the generosity of individuals and businesses to continue their work. Dolphin Discovery is pleased to contribute to the cause and to be working with the Tortugranja in their efforts to protect the sea turtles of Isla Mujeres. We have donated recycled materials such as fencing to build new protected nesting areas and holding areas for turtles. Our veterinarians are assisting in the care of the turtles and our laboratories are being used for analysis of samples for research. In addition, our team of dolphin trainers are working on night watches on the shores, monitoring the nests and protecting the mothers who come to lay their eggs. Through the combined contributions of many on Isla Mujeres and in the state of Quintana Roo, we hope to give the turtles a full, free life in the sea.
The Tortungranja of Isla Mujeres is open to the public, please stop by and visit! A portion of the 30 peso entrance fee goes directly to conservation efforts and allows the facility to continue its great work with the turtles. You’ll see a variety of turtle species in different life stages, and enjoy the small aquarium with a collection of local sea life (the sea horses are a delight!) The Tortugranja is located just minutes from Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres on the west coast of the island, a pleasant way to spend an hour after swimming with dolphins. If you come at the right time, you just might be lucky enough to see newborns or participate in a turtle release program!
If you are visiting the Mexican Caribbean during the months of May to November, be aware that it is nesting and hatching season. Watch your step on the beach, while many nests are clearly marked by protection agencies, sometimes you’ll stumble on a nest that has yet to be noted, do not step on the nest, do not move the sand and definitely do not touch the eggs! If you find an unmarked nest, be sure to notify hotel staff, they will make arrangements for its protection. If you are on the beach at night and are fortunate enough to see a mother turtle coming ashore, please leave her in peace, do not make loud noises nor shine flashlights and avoid taking pictures with a flash camera. The lights will scare the mother back to sea (this is why some hotels in the Riviera Maya shut off many of their outdoor lights during nesting season). Just sit back and observe a miracle of nature, the memories will last forever. Report the event to your hotel or security staff to ensure that the nest is protected as soon as possible. Through education, awareness and the continued efforts of humans who care, the sea turtles will be around for millennia to come.
If you would like to help the sea turtles, please contact the Tortugranja on Isla Mujeres turtfarm@cancun.com.mx or the CEA in Akumal
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….
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