Video: Blue Reef Seal Interaction

Blue Reef Seal Interaction

I went to Blue Reef Aquarium at Tynemouth again today, and I had my best interaction yet with the seals there! I was shaking my cuddly seal around in front of the glass, and one of them came over to investigate what was going on, and followed it around. I did it again, this time with the camera filming it, and two of them stopped swimming and watched the toy for a bit. Then, one swam off but the other came closer to me and was watching me for a bit before it swam off. I'm not sure, but I think the seals were Selina and Sofus. Whoever they were, it was great fun to play with them and they were so cute and curious! I'll upload the video later! Also, I noticed that Blue Reef was building something new, possibly the rescue centre that one of the trainers mentioned last time? If so, I may be able to volunteer there. Fingers crossed!

No Germany Trip

Sadly, I will not be going on the Germany trip to see the Amazon river dolphins at Duisburg Zoo as I pulled out. No one else that I knew was going and 8 days in a foreign country with no one you know isn't very fun. So sadly, I may now never see an Amazon river dolphin in my life but I may one day be lucky enough to have a second opportunity to visit Duisburg and see them. Who knows? In the meantime, I'll keep up my swimming skills (I haven't been to swimming recently because I've been ill a lot) and my scuba diving skills too, because the last time I went diving was July or August, I think. Anyway, I'll probably get another chance to see some dolphins and interact with them in the near future. I hope.

Blue Reef Aquarium Interaction!

I went to Blue Reef Aquarium at Tynemouth today, where I got to watch two seal shows, talk to the trainers and have an interaction! When I talked to the trainers, they said that it's really hard to get a job in marine mammal training and, sadly, you have to be 18 to volunteer there. So I'd be waiting 5 years before I could volunteer. I did watch two of the shows- very entertaining- and after the second show (which I watched from underwater to get some more unusual video shots), I managed to get a very quick interaction with one of the seals (I don't know who). Basically, I was moving my hand around the glass and the seal came over and had a quick look. It happened a couple of times, so it was an interaction. I'll able to get stills from the video I took of the interaction, so I will post them on the Interaction Photos page when I can be bothered!

Germany Trip Allowed!

I am allowed on the Germany trip, which means that I will be seeing the dolphins and Amazon river dolphins at Duisburg Zoo. This is seriously so exciting! I'm already looking forward to it, but it's not until July that we go, so I have a long time to wait. But I'm sure it will be more than worth the wait! And if I want to talk to the trainers, I'm going to need to improve my German language skills- a lot! But there's underwater viewing for both of the dolphin species, although the river dolphins don't do a show. I will probably buy some cuddly toys and try for an interaction through the glass, although I won't spend all day by the dolphins, because I'll be with my non-dolphin-loving friends. But oh well- at least I'll be seeing some dolphins!

Blackpool Zoo

Last weekend, I went to Blackpool and while I was there, I visited the Zoo, which had sealions. I watched two of the shows, which were very entertaining and educational, but I sadly made a mistake in my research as there was no underwater viewing. One sealion did, however, come over briefly and have a look at me, but that the nearest thing to an interaction. I did, though, talk to one of the trainers. He told me all sorts of extremely useful information about becoming a trainer, including:

• Going to an animal college is a very good idea
• Experience is more important than a degree in marine biology
• Volunteer at zoos/aquariums as much as possible
• Dolphinaria will probably be back in the UK by the time I'm 18 (I was so excited by this!)
• Getting any job at a zoo/aquarium/marine park will help get a job in training
• Dolphin trainers are poorly paid
• It is harder to get a dolphin training job in Florida
• Maths and science are very important in becoming a trainer

 So yes... the trip to Blackpool Zoo was very beneficial!

Dolphin Encounter Next Year?

Next year, I may possibly be going to Germany with school. While there, I will be visiting Duisburg Zoo, which is home to two different dolphin species: the bottlenose dolphin and the Amazon river dolphin. Obviously, I will watch the shows, try and get an interaction and maybe even talk to a trainer (depends how my German language skills are by then) . It will be very exciting to see the Amazon river dolphin (known as Baby) because it's really rare to keep river dolphins in captivity. Hopefully, I will be able to get on this trip, so I can see lots of amazing new dolphins. I'll keep you posted.