The Dolphin Research Centre

(I've always found dolphins rather fascinating. They seem so intelligent, and with that smiling curve of their mouth, they also look like they’re eternally happy, and a bit mischievous. But, in my landlocked homeland, there aren't opportunities to actually interact with them & find out what they are really like.)

While in the Keys, we visited the Dolphin Research Center, on Marathon Key. The DRC is an interesting place where you can get right up close with the animals through a variety of experiences. In and around Florida there are many places to see & touch dolphins, but I liked here, because, unlike many other facilities these dolphin aren’t captive. This is first & foremost, a research facility (now, who is doing research on whom is up for debate!) which focuses on learning about dolphins & educating the public. There are information boards all over the facility, providing information about each of the dolphins & some of the research the facility does.

The dolphins live in ocean pens, and if they really wanted to, they could jump the net fence with ease and head off into the Gulf of Mexico. But they don’t, because the DRC is their home. Some of them are rescued animals, but many of them were born and raised here. They have a pretty good life. Good food, medical care, entertainment (people watching is fun), and the opportunity to learn fun tricks which encourage those people to stick around (so the dolphins can people watch even more!). And if they don’t feel like doing tricks, or want to do a different one, then that’s okay, too. Why wouldn't they stay?

Wild dolphins sometimes come to visit through the fence (just like neighbours?), and during hurricanes the gates to the ocean are opened, in case any of the resident dolphins want to relocate during the storm. Some stick around the facility and get a chance to swim in the areas where only people usually walk! (This struck me as a bit funny and curious. I wonder what they think as they swim along the walkways?)

While there, Lily and I got to meet and touch Louie, the dolphin. During our Meet the Dolphin program, a staff member first talked a bit about the dolphins at the center; how they are cared for & trained, and what the DRC does. We watched one of the trainers run the dolphins through a variety of activities – which were obviously fun for the dolphins (you could tell there was no pressure for them to do a trick). There was lots of praise by the trainer (and small fishy treats), and the dolphins obviously loved it. It was a bit like watching an excited group of preschoolers, as they zipped around their enclosure.

After all the participants & dolphins were organized, our group walked out on the small floating platform where we would get to meet with a dolphin, close up. We all ran our hands down his back as he swam past, and then each got to give him a handshake (or, is that flippershake?). His skin was rubbery, smooth and firm. Lily said he was also slippery and slimy. She was a bit nervous at first, and didn't want to touch, but once the trainer assured her that Louie was a friendly dolphin she gave it a go. When she stepped away from Louie, she had a great big grin on her face.

The staff members were all very friendly and questions were encouraged at all times. I liked it best after our program when the trainer was showing some of how they teach the dolphins the tricks they do (It’s all based on natural behaviors), and Louie was more than happy to show off for his adoring fans. It was so natural, and unstaged, and when the dolphins added their own moves, they were praised just as much as when they did the moves the trainer requested.

It was a great experience, and I’m glad that Lily & I got to meet Louie. Now I can say I've touched a dolphin! Very cool J

Spin jump