Dolphin Enounters Earns Re-Accreditation For Excellence In Marine Mammal Care, Conservation And Education
BLUE LAGOON ISLAND
Dolphin Encounters Receives Re-Accreditation from the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA)
L-R Bill Winhall, of the AMMPA Membership Committee and Assistant Curator at SeaWorld, San Diego presents Robert Meister, Managing Director of Dolphin Encounters on Blue Lagoon Island, with a plaque during AMMPA's annual meeting recently held in Alexandria, Virginia.
Dolphin Encounters, on Blue Lagoon Island has earned re-accreditation by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), an international association representing marine life parks, aquariums, zoos, research facilities, and professional organizations dedicated to the highest standards of care for marine mammals and to their conservation in the wild through public education, scientific study, and wildlife presentations.
Only marine life facilities that meet the Alliance's rigid standards and guidelines are granted accreditation. AAMPA's accreditation committee made the announcement recently at the organization's annual meeting held in Alexandria, Virginia. Dolphin Encounters became a member of the organization in 1997 and earned their first accreditation in 2004. Organizations must apply for re-accreditation every five years.
"Earning accreditation once again by AMMPA means Dolphin Encounters continues to go above and beyond the standards in caring for marine mammals," said Robert Meister, Managing Director of Dolphin Encounters.
To earn accreditation, an institution is inspected by a team of marine mammal professionals. The team evaluates all aspects of the organization's operation including: animal care areas; programs; enrichment; veterinary care; diets; the physical facilities; and marine mammal public education and conservation programs.
"To receive accreditation by such a respected organization as AMMPA is a special honour. It stands as a testament to the importance we place on the care and well-being of our animals and the education we impart to our guests and the greater community," adds Mr. Meister. "We are exceptionally proud of our facility which continues to gain international recognition as a leader in marine parks."
Dolphin Encounters Earns AMMPA Accreditation
Dolphin Encounters is also a member of IMATA, the International Marine Animal Trainers Association, the largest organization of its kind and last year became the first member of IMATA to receive accreditation for its Animal Trainer Program.
Since 1989, Dolphin Encounters, located on idyllic Blue Lagoon Island just three miles off Nassau, has offered visitors from around the world a unique opportunity to interact with friendly marine mammals in an unparalleled all-natural marine habitat. Dolphin Encounters - Project B.E.A.C.H., the non-profit element of Dolphin Encounters, was developed to provide unique opportunities for marine education for Bahamian students and teachers that have been embraced by thousands of students and teachers throughout The Bahamas and abroad.
Visit www.DolphinEncounters.com for more information, "Like" Dolphin Encounters on Facebook, follow the facility at DolphinEncountr on Twitter; visit Dolphin Encounters on YouTube or call 242-363-7150 (general inquiries) or 242-363-1003 (reservations).
