ANIMAL INTERACTION PROGRAM RULES
The instructor is in charge at all time, participants must follow instructions. No one else should give instructions, this include parents, observers, and other participants.
If at any time we feel a person is adversely affecting the animals, other participants, and/or smooth operation of the program, that person will be asked to leave the program.
If an animal behaves in a way that makes you uncomfortable, inform us.
In compliance with regulations, our programs are controlled.
This means the animals are trained and an experienced instructor directs any and all interaction between the human and animal participants.
- Program content can be modified depending on the staff, the animals, and the participants.
- We do not do every behavior every program.
- Should you have any requests regarding the content of your program, speak with the instructor prior to your interaction.
- Participants take turns interacting with the animals, giving them a signal requesting a specific behavior.
- We will go over the signal for each behavior at poolside.
- Proper signals are mandatory.
- Do not give the animals signals or request any behaviors unless instructed to do so.
Public interaction time with the animals is regulated.
If you wish to maximize your time with the animals, listen carefully to directions and if you are swimming, remain in the water once the program starts.
Observers are not allowed contact with the animals, nor are they allowed access to the water, platforms, or boardwalks. Please remain and take photographs from designated areas.
For the smooth and safe operation of the program, animal care staff are not permitted to take photographs while conducting the program.
However, if Theater of the Sea photographers are at your program, photos will be available in the main building.
In Water Programs Only-Dolphin Swim and Wade, Sea Lion Swim, Shark and Ray Swim
- Do not jump or dive into any pool! This may startle the animals
- To enter and exit the water, walk in from the beach or use the stairs.
- Stairs may be slippery so hold onto the railing anytime you enter or exit the pool.
- Be careful not to stir up sand on the beaches so as not to affect visibility.
- Fins (dolphin swim) or water shoes (shark and ray swim) are required.
- Masks are optional if you wish to view the animal under water.
No materials or objects other than fins, masks, snorkels, water shoes, and underwater cameras may be taken into the pool without approval. Any item the animals could swallow could compromise their health. Please...
- give rubbers bands from disposable cameras to instructors,
- if you not done so already, please remove jewelry and store securely,
- remove any change or items from your pockets and store securely,
- do NOT remove snorkels from masks or you risk losing the snorkel keeper,
- do NOT remove wristbands...we collect these from you after the program.
Since observers are at the pool's edge, be especially careful with sunglasses, camera lens caps, children's toys and pacifiers, etc that could fall into the pool.
Dolphin Swim, Wade, Meet, Paint, Sea Lion Swim, Meet, Paint, Crocodile Meet, Shark Swim
We feed and interact with the animals from an area called a station that is indicated with a food bucket.
- Participants must keep five feet away from the animal's station and food buckets at all times.
- Do not touch the animals while they are being fed.
- If they drop food, leave it.
Dolphin Swim, Wade, Meet, Paint, Sea Lion Swim, Meet, Paint, Sea Turtle Meet, Shark and Ray Swim
When touching the animals:
- let the animal initiate the contact, do not chase the animal
- use only an open handed rub....do not pat, scratch, hold onto, or grab the animal
- rub only where shown and not the face
Dolphin Swim only
We will let you know exactly when to do each behavior, including the dorsal tow.
In accordance with regulation, while swimming with the dolphin, DO NOT HOLD ONTO THE DORSAL FIN AT ANY TIME EXCEPT UNDER OUR INSTRUCTION. (demonstrate the proper way to hold onto the dorsal fin for single dorsal tow only).
Crocodile and Sea Turtle Meet, Shark and Ray Swim
Correct and safe feeding as explained must be used and participants must clean their hands before and after program. Do not throw food because it attracts birds.
Shark and Ray Swim
It is extremely important that you stay calm. The sharks/rays may rub up against you and/or bump into you. If this happens, please do not panic.
Thank you and enjoy your program!