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 the trainer.
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 us 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 INTERACTION WITH THE ANIMALS!