BLUE LAGOON ISLAND, Bahamas - Dolphin
Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island became the first member of the International
Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) to receive accreditation
for their animal trainer program. Announced recently during IMATA’s
annual conference held in Atlanta Georgia and hosted by the Georgia
Aquarium, the Bahamian marine mammal facility’s animal trainer program
was recognized for its exceptionally high standards and practices.
“IMATA
represents nearly 250 marine mammal training programs around the world;
certainly to be the first one accredited is impressive,” said William
Hurley, Accreditation Commission Chair for the International Marine
Animal Trainers Association and Senior Vice President and Chief Animal
Officer of the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, Georgia. “Dolphin Encounters
was the first organization to have the opportunity to undergo this new
process during a joint accreditation with the Alliance of Marine Mammal
Parks and Aquariums. During the inspection, two individuals from the
United States with extensive backgrounds in inspecting marine mammal
programs took several days to analyze processes as well as interview
staff members at Dolphin Encounters. What they found through the inspection
was that not only did Dolphin Encounters meet all standards for both
the Alliance as well as IMATA, but they exceeded IMATA’s expectations.
The inspectors were absolutely impressed by the level of quality of
work as well as the talent of staff that Dolphin Encounters has. Without
reservation the inspection team made the recommendation to IMATA’s
Board of Directors to endorse Dolphin Encounters as the first accredited
animal trainer development program in our association.”
For
nearly a decade, the International Marine Animal Trainers Association
has been working diligently on its creation of the trainer development
program and a process to accredit those facilities that demonstrate
exceptional programs with their trainers and their animal training.
Inspectors
visited Dolphin Encounters several months ago for a thorough inspection
with particular emphasis on the training given to animal trainers, the
methods used and the ability of animal training staff to maintain the
guidelines they learned while working with the animals.
“The
Animal Trainer Development Plan at Dolphin Encounters is really unique
because of our multi-faceted approach in preparing a person to work as
a trainer,” said Annette Dempsey, Director of Education for Dolphin
Encounters and Assistant Marine Mammal Director. “The formal training
seminar is held outdoors, full of distractions that help teach a student
learn to focus much like they would need to do in animal interactive
programs. The seminar creates a solid foundation that all the trainers
have in order to communicate their ideas and create new behaviors. Secondly,
the hands-on training in the Husbandry and Shadow Training levels build
relationships with the animals and develop problem-solving skills. And
finally, trainers have to master education skills, for both orientations
and animal programs, in order to earn their Animal Trainer Certification.
It is a very involved and detailed process that is unique to our facility."
“We
know we have an exceptional staff, and the quality of animal training
at Dolphin Encounters is as high, or higher, than any other facility
I’ve seen in the world,” adds Kim Terrell, Marine Mammal Director
at Dolphin Encounters. “It makes me proud that the superior staff
and training methods we teach at Dolphin Encounters have been recognized
and received the first accreditation of an animal training program in
the world. It is an impressive achievement.”
“We
are honoured and incredibly proud to be the first facility in the world
to receive accreditation for our animal trainer program,” said Robert
Meister, Managing Director of Dolphin Encounters. “Our goal from the
company’s beginning has been to hire and train Bahamians in a marine
career that involves a very specialized skill set. We have always trained
on-site with the highest standards and practices. Receiving our accreditation
from our esteemed colleagues from the International Marine Animal Trainer’s
Association confirms that our methods and our Bahamian staff are among
the best in the world in our industry.”
The
International Marine Animal Trainer’s Association was founded to foster
communication, professionalism, and cooperation among those who serve
marine mammal science through training, public display, research, husbandry,
conservation, and education. To learn more about IMATA visit
www.IMATA.org
.
Since
1989, Dolphin Encounters, located on idyllic Blue Lagoon Island just
three miles off Nassau, has offered visitors from around the world a
unique opportunity to interact with friendly marine mammals in an unparalleled
all-natural marine habitat.
Today,
it is without question, one of Nassau’s foremost tourist attractions.
Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island, which is owned and operated
by a local family, continues to offer visitors new, educational and
entertaining ways to meet and learn about marine mammals.
Visit
www.DolphinEncounters.com
for more information, become a Fan
of Dolphin Encounters on Facebook, follow the facility at DolphinEncountr
on Twitter; visit Dolphin Encounters on YouTube or call 242-363-7150
(general inquiries) or 242-363-1003 (reservations).