Draft:Dolphin Discovery

• Comment: Sources seem to be primary sources. Seawolf35 ^T--C 22:39, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

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Dolphin Discovery is the first brand of The Dolphin Company. Founded in 1994 to create interactive programs to get close to marine mammals and learn about them and their environment.

In Dolphin Discovery habitats, guests can interact with three different species: dolphins, sea lions, and manatees. There are ten habitats in four countries: Isla Mujeres, Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel, Mahahual, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Vallarta-Nayarit, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts, and Punta Cana.

Dolphin Discovery is an organizational member of the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). Additionally, it has been recognized as a Socially Responsible Company since 2006 and as a Super Company Expansion since 2013.

History

Dolphin Discovery was founded in 1994 with the opening of a dolphin habitat on Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Over time, the company increased the number of habitats, even expanding its operations beyond Mexico to the Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.

In 2003, the first dolphin under the care of Dolphin Discovery, Lewis, was born. Twelve years later, in 2015, Miracle, the hundredth calf, was born

In 2019, during the celebration of the twenty-fifth anniversary, Master Eduardo Albor, CEO of Dolphin Group, announced the creation of The Dolphin Company brand, thus consolidating all the companies that already made up the group.

Outstanding Accomplishments

Since 1994, Dolphin Discovery has enabled responsible interaction with marine mammals and the promotion of educational experiences and social programs. Among its achievements, the following stand out:

• More than 200 marine mammals born through its "Miracle" Reproduction Program.
• Over 300 specialists and veterinarians in charge of the care of its species.
• Over 1,000 animals rescued and rehabilitated in rescue centers.
• More than 230,000 schools visited for educational talks through the "Amar es Cuidar" Program since 2019.
• Support for more than 200,000 social programs through the Dolphin Discovery Foundation, including DIF Quintana Roo, Aquí Nadie Se Rinde A.C., Save the Children, and Red Autismo.
• Over 100,000 swims with dolphins for children in vulnerable conditions.
• Over 1,200 beach and mangrove cleanups, collecting more than 100 tons of garbage.

Dolphin Habitats in Mexico

Dolphin Discovery has seven dolphin habitats in Mexico: Isla Mujeres, Puerto Aventuras, Vallarta-Nayarit, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Playa del Carmen, and Akumal. In the latter four, there are dolphins born under the care of Dolphin Discovery, thanks to its "Miracle" Reproduction Program.

Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres

Located on the island of the same name since 1994, this habitat has an area of 10,000 m² where more than twenty dolphins live and where visitors have the opportunity to interact with sea lions and manatees.

Its facilities also include two swimming pools and three restaurants.

Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras

A habitat located in the tourist complex of Puerto Aventuras since 1998. This jungle island is surrounded by springs-fed lagoons, covering an area of 7,000 m² where dolphins, manatees, and sea lions are housed.

Dolphin Discovery Vallarta-Nayarit

This habitat is located within the Aquaventuras Park in Riviera Nayarit since 2005. It has an area of 5,000 m², where visitors can swim with dolphins and sea lions, in addition to the themed slides and mechanical games.

Dolphin Discovery Cozumel

Located inside the Chankanaab Natural Park since 1998. In this habitat, the first generation of dolphins from the "Miracle" Reproduction Program is found. Its facilities also include a swimming pool, two restaurants, and a VIP area.

Dolphin Discovery Costa Maya

Located since 2010 in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, this habitat covers an area of 750 m² and is home to dolphins born under the "Miracle" Reproduction Program.

Dolphin Discovery Playa del Carmen

Since 2013, it is located in Playa Maroma. With an area of 2,000 m², this habitat has state-of-the-art technology, as well as facilities and specialized access to the pool for people with disabilities to experience dolphin encounters. It is another of Dolphin Discovery's "Miracle" habitats.

Dolphin Discovery Akumal

Since 2004 and covering an area of 1,500 m², this habitat is home of dolphins born under the care of Dolphin Discovery and is located in Akumal Bay.

Dolphin Habitats in the Caribbean

Dolphin Discovery Grand Cayman

With an area of 2,400 m², this habitat has been located since 2008 in the Cayman Islands, a British territory in the western Caribbean Sea. Among its activities are the visit to the turtle farm and feeding the rays.

Dolphin Discovery St. Kitts

This habitat is located on the island of Saint Kitts in the Caribbean Sea. Created in 2014, it has an area surrounded by mountains and vegetation where interactive dolphin swimming programs are carried out.

Dolphin Discovery Downtown Punta Cana

This habitat was created with the highest technology in 2014 and is located in the downtown area of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Miracle Reproduction Program

The Dolphin Company's "Miracle" Reproduction Program began in 2003 and has resulted in the birth of over 200 calves, including dolphins, manatees, and sea lions.

Dolphin Discovery personnel have specialized in reproductive biology and the essential needs of marine species at different stages of their lives, from pregnancy to lactation. As a result, Dolphin Discovery has been able to open exclusive facilities with dolphins born under its care, a total of four Miracle habitats.

Rescue Centers

Due to the experience acquired with the animals under the care of Dolphin Discovery's specialists, knowledge has been gained about the behavioral patterns of marine mammals, which allows assistance to wild animals when they become ill or stranded, taking them to specific areas created to apply professional procedures.

Mexico Rescue Team

Dolphin Discovery is part of the Stranding Network in which different institutions share knowledge and work together for rescue and rehabilitation.

Dolphin Discovery specialists in Mexico collaborate with authorities to help stranded animals across the country.

Ethical Care and Training

Dolphin Discovery employs training methods based on positive reinforcement, a practice that ensures that behaviors learned by marine mammals are pleasant. This approach means that when performing specific behaviors, the animals always find something positive, whether in the form of games, caresses, or food.

Dolphin Discovery's international certifications, including the International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA) accreditation, endorse and validate the methods used, recognizing their ethical appropriateness and up-to-dateness according to contemporary standards.

Dolphin Discovery was the first Mexican company to obtain IMATA certification and the second worldwide. It also holds the record for the most IMATA-certified dolphin habitats worldwide.

ABC Animal Training

Dolphin Discovery has a marine mammal training material and school called ABC Animal Training. This course, created in 2006 by one of the founders of Dolphin Discovery, is based on the philosophy of positive reinforcement.

This program is offered to all marine mammal specialists who are part of Dolphin Discovery, fostering a relationship of cooperation between trainers and the animals.

Six international workshops are held in locations such as Puerto Aventuras, Los Cabos, and Panama City.

Dolphin Discovery Foundation

The Dolphin Discovery Foundation I.A.P. is a non-profit institution committed to improving the quality of life for children in Mexico and the Caribbean since 2014. Its mission is to strengthen and promote social programs aimed at meeting the most important needs of childhood: health, education, and housing.

Certifications and Accreditations

Dolphin Discovery has a comprehensive set of certifications and accreditations that support its commitment to the highest standards in animal welfare, safety, sustainability, and service quality.

• Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA): Members since 2005 with certifications for Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and Puerto Aventuras.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): Members since 2018 with the certifications of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and, later in 2019, the certification of Punta Cana.
• American Humane Association: Accredited in 2018.
• International Marine Animal Trainers' Association (IMATA): Accredited since 2003.
• Mexican Association of Habitats for the Interaction and Protection of Marine Mammals (AMHMAR)
• Socially Responsible Company 1% Social Investment: Accredited since 2006 by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy.
• Super Company Expansion: Accredited since 2013.