Dolphin Encounter - Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Today my grandsons and I had a wonderful experience at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  Home of Winter, the dolphin featured in the recent movie "Dolphin Tale", this aquarium isn't a fancy place.  It is a former water treatment facility that now is home to marine creatures that have been injured or need help in some way.  The goal of the 40 employees and 300-900 volunteers (seasonal) is to rescue, rehab and release.  Sometimes, however, situations are such that release isn't possible.  We learned a lot about that today.

One of the experiences they offer is a "dolphin encounter".  Once a day, at 3:30pm, 3 people can participate in this encounter that includes learning about dolphin anatomy and participating in the training session.  The pictures tell the story of what all we got to do with Panama, the dolphin that resides in the same tank with Winter.  (Winter can't physically do all the things that are part of the encounter because she doesn't have a tail).  This was so much fun AND the trainer did a super job of educating the boys about dolphins. 

Here we are with Panama, the dolphin.  The trainer is showing us Panama's teeth which are worn down so much she can't hunt/eat on her own.  When she was found she was very emaciated.  Now she's a health BIG girl and has be-friended young Winter. She cannot be released because she cannot feed herself.

The trainer is explaining that dolphins are born with hair. 

We got to do a lot of touching/petting. 

The dolphin in the front of this photo is Winter.  She was next to us as we worked with Panama.  Because she doesn't have a tail, she couldn't complete all the activities included in our encounter (this is demonstrated clearly in a later photo)

Learning about the tail and dorsal fin.

After our anatomy lesson, we worked with Panama on specific behaviors, using the arm and hand motions the trainer taught us.  Here Evan brought her up out of the water and is holding her "hands".

Hey baby, how about a kiss?

The 3 of us each had individual time with Panama.  Here's Garrett with Panama.

Garrett with Panama

I think Panama needs a grandma

Panama comes up on the platform so the boys can see how big she is...and she is BIG!

It became apparent (clearly apparent) at the end of our encounter that I had not dressed appropriately for this encounter.  Truthfully, I didn't know we'd be this "up close and personal" with the dolphins.

At the end of the encounter, Panama turns upside down and uses her tail to "wave" goodbye to us.

WHAT A SURPRISE SHE GAVE US!!!

If you're in the Clearwater area, go see Winter and if you can make a reservation in advance, book the Dolphin Encounter!  So much fun and so educational.