swimming with dolphins
Feb 20th, 2002, 01:49 PM
#61
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just who do you think is laughing Abdul, who? You have to bring in your buddies from study hall to get that. GROW UP!!! Are you even old enough to purchase a plane ticket? YUK YUK YUK and she had really stinky feet too NUK NUK NUK. Now lets talk about her boogers too. Who is laughing besides you ? Who?
Feb 24th, 2002, 04:53 PM
#62
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I participated in a dophin swim program in Bermuda in May of 2001. The home base of the program at one of the large hotels was under construction, so the program has been temporarily moved to the Dockyard. The staff was polite and seemed well informed about the animals.
At least one of the dolphins had been born in captivity and was used by the U.S. Navy before she "retired" to the swim program. She is 20+ years old and has had two babies while there. During our swim time the other dolphins in the adjoining pool put up quite a ruckus trying to join us. The handlers let them out to swim with us. They did not recieve any food rewards for joining us, so I don't think their desire to interact with the people was reward related. The dolphins are let out into the ocean in the evenings with a 2 mile radius net. I think the fact that both of the females are reproducing healthy young on an annual basis is a good indication of their overall health.
Yes it was expensive for 30 mins. in the water with them, but since it was something I have always wanted to do I'm glad I did it. The picture of myself nose to nose with that beautiful animal is one of my favorite vacation photos.
At least one of the dolphins had been born in captivity and was used by the U.S. Navy before she "retired" to the swim program. She is 20+ years old and has had two babies while there. During our swim time the other dolphins in the adjoining pool put up quite a ruckus trying to join us. The handlers let them out to swim with us. They did not recieve any food rewards for joining us, so I don't think their desire to interact with the people was reward related. The dolphins are let out into the ocean in the evenings with a 2 mile radius net. I think the fact that both of the females are reproducing healthy young on an annual basis is a good indication of their overall health.
Yes it was expensive for 30 mins. in the water with them, but since it was something I have always wanted to do I'm glad I did it. The picture of myself nose to nose with that beautiful animal is one of my favorite vacation photos.
Nov 3rd, 2005, 01:55 PM
#63
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Too many people are commenting on how dolphin swim programs are cruel and how dolphins should not be trapped and treated horribly.
It might be true for some places, but not true for responsible companies and educational programs such as the Marathon Dolphin Sanctuary - The Dolphin Research Center (DRC).
Have you even thought about how you come to love dolphins? It's because people like the DRC make children become aware and love dolphins by "close encounter". Once you've have personal experience (not necessarily swim with them but by just watching a real dolphin), you are more prone to care about them.
This is also true with endangered species (I believe it was cougars from watching discovery channel) in Africa, where they brought kids to see and educate about them, for the purpose that when they grow up, they will be less likely to kill and sell the animals.
So when you want to criticize, make sure you find out the facts and don't generalize everything.
It might be true for some places, but not true for responsible companies and educational programs such as the Marathon Dolphin Sanctuary - The Dolphin Research Center (DRC).
Have you even thought about how you come to love dolphins? It's because people like the DRC make children become aware and love dolphins by "close encounter". Once you've have personal experience (not necessarily swim with them but by just watching a real dolphin), you are more prone to care about them.
This is also true with endangered species (I believe it was cougars from watching discovery channel) in Africa, where they brought kids to see and educate about them, for the purpose that when they grow up, they will be less likely to kill and sell the animals.
So when you want to criticize, make sure you find out the facts and don't generalize everything.
Nov 3rd, 2005, 02:02 PM
#64
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This is also true with endangered species (I believe it was cougars from watching discovery channel) in Africa, where they brought kids to see and educate about them, for the purpose that when they grow up, they will be less likely to kill and sell the animals.
this made me giggle for some reason. how esoteric/unique (and grotesque) an idea is that in the first place...
"if it hadn't been for the Discovery Channel program, I may not have become a successful heart surgeon, instead, I may have been out there killing cougars. even though I live in the city. in the US"
(sorry, not making fun of you, it just made me giggle)
this made me giggle for some reason. how esoteric/unique (and grotesque) an idea is that in the first place...
"if it hadn't been for the Discovery Channel program, I may not have become a successful heart surgeon, instead, I may have been out there killing cougars. even though I live in the city. in the US"
(sorry, not making fun of you, it just made me giggle)
Nov 4th, 2005, 11:48 AM
#66
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I can't vouch for the truth of this, but I'll pass it along.
The son of a friend of ours has a Ph.D in marine biology. He says his biggest objection to the swim-with programs is how the dolphins are captured.
Apparently, the swim-with people use a lot of Japanese companies that raid pods, grab a few dolphin and the kill the ones that try to prevent the capture. Sounds grisly to me, but if that sort of thing doesn't bother you, happy swimming.
The son of a friend of ours has a Ph.D in marine biology. He says his biggest objection to the swim-with programs is how the dolphins are captured.
Apparently, the swim-with people use a lot of Japanese companies that raid pods, grab a few dolphin and the kill the ones that try to prevent the capture. Sounds grisly to me, but if that sort of thing doesn't bother you, happy swimming.
