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ABOUT BOOMER CAFÉ

by Marilee Menard

Baby boomers have changed the face of family vacations. It’s no longer a sedentary resort. No, it’s an adventure. For example, getting in touch with a dolphin, a beluga whale, a false killer whale or a sea lion, in special interactive programs at marine parks. The whole family can get face to face with a dolphin.

Meeting any of these animals one on one is a once-in-a-lifetime dream, a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. People come away from the experience with incredible respect for the animals, a new appreciation for the necessity of conservation, and a glimpse at the special rapport between the animals and the professionals who care for them.

Different parks and aquariums offer different types of programs featuring varied kinds of contact and involving different animals. Experiences can include touching the animal without swimming, serving as "trainer for a day" or being immersed in the water and swimming with the animals. Interactive programs may involve bottlenose dolphins, beluga whales, seals or sea lions.

Dolphin encounters and other marine mammal interactive programs are offered at parks and aquariums all over the world. And it’s no wonder -- they can be a wonderfully educational, memorable and moving experience for all ages. The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums -- an international association of marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations -- offers the following tips for choosing a controlled, quality program that’s safe for visitors and animals.

1) Most parks and aquariums with interactive programs have a minimum age and height requirement. Check the facility’s Web site or call in advance to determine whether your children or grandchildren are eligible to participate.

2) Keep in mind that facilities vary widely with their reservations policies, so advance planning can be helpful.

3) Since a variety of programs are available, make sure you know what you can expect. How many participants are in each session? How much and what kind of contact with the animals is possible?

4) Make sure ahead of time that a professional animal trainer will be present and actively involved in all interactive programs. This protects both the human and animal participants.

5) The facility should provide a thorough orientation session before beginning the interactive program. This usually covers the basics of dolphin anatomy, information about how to protect the animals and their habitat in the wild, specific instructions for things you should and should not do while you’re in contact with the animals, and what kind of behavior to expect from the animals.

6) Ask whether the park or aquarium is a member of the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Membership demonstrates that the facility is committed to maintaining the optimum health and environmental conditions for all marine mammals in its care and is dedicated to maximizing its educational and scientific efforts.

To locate a responsible marine mammal interactive program, you can visit the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums web site at www.ammpa.org.

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