Geriatric Care for Aging Dolphins
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Molly, a bottlenose dolphin in her early 50s, can’t see very well and requires special care. The staff at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys is teaching her to respond to verbal and touch-related signals before she loses her sight completely.
The care of marine mammals is a growing but competitive field. In particular, geriatric marine mammal care is a field that is becoming more important these days as Molly and other animals in human care are living longer than their counterparts in the wild, said Kirsten Donald, the center’s education director.A dolphin named Molly, who is in her early 50's, leaps out of the water while working with trainers. Molly isn’t the only one learning from these sessions, which also include the first five students in the center’s College of Marine Mammal Professions.
The 36-week program that yields an Associate of Science Degree in Marine Mammal Behavior, Care and Training is the only one in the U.S. that teaches hands-on training and care of marine mammals, according to the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association
Molly, who is in her early 50's is given water through a tube by a trainer
Senior trainer Kelly Jayne Rodriguez gives a kiss to Karen, a blind and aging sea lion, during a training session. The center’s degree is an expansion on its week-long dolphin lab program that started in 1985.
Students with the College of Marine Mammal Professions place their hands on Karen, a blind and aging sea lion
Karen, a blind and aging sea lion, follows senior trainer Kelly Jayne Rodriguez for a training session at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, Fla.
Kirsten Donald, education director at the Dolphin Research Center, teaches a class at the center in the Florida Keys, Fla
Senior trainer Kelly Jayne Rodriguez, left, works with a dolphin named Molly
