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| DOLPHIN IN WATER |
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| WITH JODIE NIECE! |
THE DOLPHIN IN-WATER ADVENTURE
The Zoo's Dolphin In-Water Adventure is something that participants cannot experience anywhere else in the Midwest. This
90-Minute Program is designed to give participants a unique opportunity to encounter Dolphins up close and become familiar
with some of the Training Techniques used by the Indianapolis Zoo's Marine Mammal Staff. The Program begins with a short class
session, after which the Guests don lightweight Wet Suits and join the Trainers in a Specially Designed Pool where a small
group of People have approximately a Half Hour to experience something truly remarkable-what it's like to meet a Dolphin face
to face.
In the Pool, the Guest will get a sampling of the different activities the Zoo's Trainers carry out each day-Feeding a
Dolphin, Signaling the Dolphin to carry out a behavior, and lots of up-close, hands-on interactions. (This is a Wade-In Program
and no swimming is involved.) After the In-Water portion of the Program, participants will head back to the Shower. Along
with memories for a lifetime, participants will take home a Souvenir Towel and a Photograph of themselves with a Dolphin.
| DOLPHIN TRAINER |
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| ELLEN JACKSON! |
ABOUT OUR DOLPHINS
Currently, the Indianapolis Zoo has Seven Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in its Collection. The Adults range from 22-24
years old and weigh between 300-500 Pounds. They each have Unique Personalities and Physical Characteristics that allow the
Marine Mammal Staff to tell them apart. The Adult Males are Sundance and Kimo, and the Adult Females are Nora, Ripley and
China.
Three Young Dolphins have been Born at the Zoo. Nova's Female Calf, Kalei(KAH-LAY)was born in November 2000. China gave
birth to another Female later named Indy in August 2001, while Ripley produced a Male, Jett, in February 2002. Jett moved
to the Brookfield Zoo in 2006 so he could be bond with another Young Male approximately the same age, and he is doing great
in his new home! Sadly, the Zoo lost one of its Adult Female Dolphins, Pheonix, on June 24, 2007.
| DOLPHIN TRAINER |
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| ELLEN JACKSON! |
The Dolphins are cared for by a Specially Trained Marine Mammal Staff headed by a Curator of Marine Mammals. This Group of
Trainers also cares for the Zoo's Seals, Sea Lions, Walruses and Polar Bears.
The Indianapolis Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo & Aquarium Association(AZA-www.aza.org)and the Alliance of
Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums(AMMPA-www.ammpa.org). The Zoo is also accredited as a Habitat Botanical Garden by the
American Association of Museums(AAM-www.aam-us.org).
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