Description

Date opened: 1984

Location: Grassy Key, Florida, USA

Number of animals: 20
Number of species: 2
Memberships: Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums / AMMPA

Major exhibits: Dolphin lagoons, California Sea Lion lagoon

The Dolphin Research Center is a dolphinarium on Grassy Key, Florida. The 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m2) series of saltwater lagoons carved out of the shoreline is home to a family of bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. It features experiences where visitors can learn about marine mammals and the environment and also swim with, hand-signal, or enjoy other interactive programs with the dolphins.

It opened in 1958 as Santini's Porpoise School, a roadside attraction owned by Milton Santini, a Corsican dolphin trainer. One of the dolphins, Mitzi, starred in the Flipper movie. The facility became known as Flipper's Sea School after its sale to an entertainment conglomerate in 1972. Five years later, whale conservationist Jean Paul Fortom-Gouin acquired the center, renaming it the Institute for Delphinid Research and closing it to the public.

When the International Whaling Commission imposed a moratorium on whaling in 1983, Fortom-Gouin transferred the business to his general manager and head trainer, Jayne Shannon Rodriguez and Armando "Mandy" Rodriguez. They founded the center as the nonprofit Dolphin Research Center in February, 1984.

Dolphin Research Center's mission is to promote the peaceful coexistence between marine mammals, humans and the environment we share through research and education and to operate for the advancement of such research and education.

The facility is open daily to the public with informative narrated behavior sessions and educational presentations offered throughout the day. There are also a number of interactive programs available.

DRC's Dolphin Camp, Teen DolphinLab classes, and Adult DolphinLab courses offer week-long educational opportunities for various age groups. All of the Adult courses are college-accredited.

The center's research activities are ongoing and largely focus on marine mammal cognition, behavior and husbandry. In 2005, DRC's research on Understanding of the Concept of Numerically 'Less' in Bottlenose Dolphins was published by the Journal of Comparative Psychology. In 2009, Animal Cognition published the study on What do Dolphins Understand about Hidden Objects? In 2010, the International Journal of Comparative Psychology published Dolphin Research Center's study on Blindfolded Imitation in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The facility has been featured in numerous television programs worldwide.

Most of the resident pod members were born at the facility. Others joined the family for a variety of reasons.

Dolphin Research Center received an addition to their family in January 2008. Jax, the bottlenose dolphin, was a victim of a shark attack or boat strike and was found off of Jacksonville, Florida. Jax was rehabilitated at Gulf World Marine Park before moving to DRC permanently.

Highlights

* Work one on one with Dr. David Adams, a cultural anthropologist and respected author
* Academic credit available
* Letter of Recommendation on completion
* Career and academic advising available

Qualifications

* Applicants must be 18 years old or older.
* We accept GAP YEAR students through college graduates
* Positive attitude
* 20 - 40 hours per week

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,895.00 and up

Program Fees Include:

Housing, Internship setup, Airport pickup, Pre-trip reader, Office support

Salary/Pay

Unpaid positions. We charge a fee to set up the internship and provide housing.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

7 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Institute for Cultural Ecology's Mission Statement

The Institute for Cultural Ecology was founded on the conviction that visits to exotic destinations imply a commitment to cultural sensitivity and environmental stewardship. Our programs match the interests, academic goals, and passions of the participant to premier host organizations and researchers. Once you connect with a place and its people, they become a part of you. Forever.

Year Founded

1999