Eating dolphins (not eating a dolphin)

One of the most frequent questions we are asked is how much does a dolphin eat.  There are many answers to this but most of them are silly.  I will stick to facts.   Dolphins eat a lot.  The amount of food they eat is in direct correlation as to what they are eating.  

Bottlenose dolphins eat several kinds of fish (including mullet, mackerel, herring, cod) and squid. The composition of the diet depends very much on what is available in the area they live in and also on the season. The amount of fish they eat depends on the fish species they are feeding on: mackerel and herring have a very high fat content and consequently have a high caloric value, whereas squid has a very low caloric value, so to get the same energy intake (calories) they will need to eat much more if they feed on squid than if they feed on mackerel or herring. On average an adult dolphin will eat 4-9% of its body weight in fish, so a 250 kg (550 lb) dolphin will eat 10-22.5 kg (22-50 lb) fish per day.

The bucket list

The other day I watched the movie the bucket list.  It caused me to think about my life a bit.   Here is what I have found on the web as a bucket list.  I will also point out the ones I have done.  I will go one step further and point out how coming to Dolphin Cove in Jamaica can help you clear a few things off this list.

•   ride: in a hot air balloon 
•   see: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) 
•   see: Grand Canyon, Arizona 
•   swim: with dolphins   (um we are here I have done this.)
•   go: on safari  (we have the jungle trail its close enough)
•   see: Great Barrier Reef 
•   go: on a helicopter ride 
•   Travel to the seven continents 
•   Sleep under the stars   (many times as a child and a few times as an adult.  Jamaica is great for this)
•   Make a difference in someone's life  (we do this every day but bring them to Jamaica and its done for ever)
•   Shower in a waterfall.   (again very easy and fun to do in Jamaica.  Dunns river is across the street)
•   do: scuba diving   (we have sea trek here so you can interact with the dolphins at the same time)
•   do: sky diving    (was fun but would never do again)
•   see: Great Wall of China 
•   Travel: Italy 
•   Get married 
•   ride: on an elephant  (was at the zoo though)
•   Travel: Australia 
•   Raise a happy and healthy child ( she is only two though so I have a long way to go)
•   go: whale-watching   (have done this in jamaica many times)
•   see: Seven New Wonders of the World 
•   see: New Years Eve at Times Square (New York) 
•   learn: a foreign language (or 2 or more!)  (patois does count)
•   see: Broadway play (New York)   (saw cats)
•   do: white water rafting   (done this in Jamaica too)
•   see: Amazon Rainforest  
•   donate: blood 
•   go: on a road trip. 
•   do: canoeing or kayaking   (dolphin cove offers this as well.)
•   Travel: France 
•   Find the love of my life 
•   go: camping 
•   see: Stonehenge 
•   see: Mona Lisa at the Louvre 
•   visit: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 
•   create: a loving and happy home 
•   ride: a camel  (can do this at dolphin cove Negril)
•   Travel: Greece 
•   visit: Machu Picchu, Peru. 
•   do: a bungee jump 
•   Experience weightlessness 
•   see: Iceberg 
•   see: Yellowstone National Park 
•   Sleep in a castle 
•   see: Olympic Games (summer) 
•   Maintain my ideal weight 
•   see: Mardi Gras, New Orleans 
•   see: Great Sphinx of Giza 
•   see: Sistine Chapel 
•   see: Louvre Museum (Grand Louvre) 

A SEGWAY INTO LIFE

History meets modern technology as you explore an 18th century estate on a clean, green, eco-friendly machine.  The Segway PT (Personal Transporter) is the next generation in clean, personal mobility.  Stepping on to your Segway will give you a glimpse into the future as you feel as though this intelligent machine is actually reading your mind, taking you in any direction your touch guides it.

After a brief orientation, helmet fitting and Segway lesson you will embark on a fascinating adventure as you begin your exploration of one Jamaica’s oldest Estates.
Your experienced Segway guide will lead you throughout this tour, stopping to allow for photo opportunities and giving you historic tails of this amazing plantation and those that once inhabited it.

Be amazed as you ride along a path surrounded by wooded forest.  Your guide will point out many plants and trees along the way, whose secret medicinal powers are still being used today.

Your adventure will take you to the beautiful great house gardens.  Here you will dismount your Segway and enjoy a refreshing bottle of water as you marvel at the beautiful flora that makes this garden so breathtaking.  Be amazed at the panoramic view of the tropical forest as it descends to meet the glistening Caribbean Sea below.

Continue your unique journey as you mount your Segway and head to “Farmer Joe” who will amaze you as he effortlessly climbs a 30 foot coconut tree.  Enjoy sampling Farmer Joe’s fresh fruits of the season, before journeying to the Estates Chapel.

This non-denominational chapel was partially built by cadets in 1969.  Its paneling, chairs and furnishing were all made from a wide range of Jamaican woods found on the Estate grounds.  

Then Segway back to the tour center where you can enjoy a stroll through the secret gardens or browse the estates gift shop for unique souvenirs.

Return to your hotel in air conditioned comfort as you savor the memories of this unique journey through time.

How to avoid stress in the office

Here is a personal tale that I will tell you.  I used to work at a different company that I will NOT name. This job was fine but I found myself not smiling.   I don't know about you but I enjoy to smile.  There were a few reasons I stopped smiling at my old job and it made for a very long day.   Now I am working with Dolphin Cove Jamaica and I can't help but smile.  I smile all the time.  My commute is a very long one and I still am smiling when I get home.  Why?  Its simple.  I have a new formula.  If I am frustrated or if I need a break I take one.  I go outside of my very comfortable office and look at the Dolphins, Sharks, Stingrays or even birds at Dolphin Cove.   I just enjoy what is near me.   I have to tell you I am very lucky.   I know your Jealous but hey.  Come to Jamaica and look me up at Dolphin Cove.  I am the one that is smiling.  

Stafford Burrowes, Marilyn Burrowes, Gregory Burrowes, Kristen Burrowes ...

Views from My Desk

Here I sit.  Nearly four pm,  I look out the window of my office and see the happy faces of customers playing in the water with the sharks, Dolphins,  and stingrays.  I see a family eating Ice Cream and yet another couple having a nice cold Red Stripe.   I must say that I have a great view that only serves to tease me about the fun I could be having.   I could continue to write this post about the adventures that could be had at Dolphin Cove Jamaica however I would rather go outside and chat with a Pirate, while waiting for a kiss from a dolphin.   Why don't you Join me.

And the winner is...

Dolphin Cove Jamaica has done it again.  http://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-caribbeans-leading-adventure-tourist-attraction-2013.  I know that they have worded very hard to get this honour.  I feel that just to be nominated means that they are doing a great job.  I would like to have all my friends and family join me in Congratulating them for this great honour.   Just to prove my point I did a quick search in Youtube for how many videos were posted in the last week.  Take a look for yourself.  Dolphin Cove,  Great Job!!

Dolphin Cove, Jamaica; Promotional Video

Dolphins, Getting personal

Ok people,  A bit of a confession.  I was not born a yard.  I moved here many moons ago from a land far far away,  a land of snow and cold.  A land where you could not walk around in slippers all day.  A land where your best friend was either your significant other or a heating blanket.  A land where you wanted to have the dog on the bed as it helped keep you warm.  When I first moved here I was like nearly everyone else.  I was in awe of what I saw.  I loved the nature and loved the whole concept of island life.   Soon it started to wear on me though.  I wanted more.  I was tired of just seeing the mongoose running around.   I was tired of just hearing the parrots in the trees or the tree frogs making their noises.  I wanted more.   Then I learned to sail.  I started to have fun,  it opened a new world for me.   I learned to appreciate nature more. Then I saw it.  A sea turtle in the water.  What a site.  I learned to slow down and appreciate things more.  The turtle did that for me.   Another day we were greeted by dolphins,  seeing a dolphin at sea is a great experience.  It was like their energy feed me.   I learned to look for them.  Alas sightings at sea in Jamaica although fairly common are not a daily thing. However I am blessed.  I get to work with Dolphin Cove Jamaica and I see them every day.   Why not join me sometime.

DR, Dr, Dr, I need a Nurse!!!

Are you aware that we have nurse sharks in Jamaica?   We do, but never fear they keep to themselves most of the time.  They prefer to be in their own little world and keep to themselves.  They are not man eaters they prefer to eat crustaceans as well as molusks.   Though they do have teeth they are not prone to biting.

At Dolphin Cove Jamaica LTD we too have nurse sharks.  They are at our Ocho Rios location and are considered by many one of our most exciting attractions.   Each day you will see our well trained handlers put on a bit of a show and you can have the chance to feed and interact with them.   For the adventurous spirit you will have a tremendous opportunity well worth the trip to Jamaica just to see.   Why not come and give one a cuddle?   For those of you looking to learn a bit more please check out this page.  http://schools-wikipedia.org/wp/n/Nurse_sharks.htm  For those of you interested in seeing one for yourself please check us out www.dolphincoveja.com

Dolphin vs Human how alike are we.

I have to admit that I borrowed this from the wiki.  The other day I was watching TV and I saw the mermaid documentary on the Discovery Channel.  It got me thinking about how they say that humans evolved from the sea.   Then I thought about dolphins (as one does when you work here)  I wondered what we all share in common.  This is what I found.  I felt that it was important enough to share with you.     Dolphins and humans more alike than you think.  

Both are mammals, so both have mammary glands, and hair on their skin, and they have 7 cervical vertebrae as humans do. 

They are touted to be one of the only 3 animals that mate for pleasure (humans, dolphins, bonobos), and socially with many partners as many humans do. They also mate face to face unlike other animals. Dolphins do give birth to live young, and as mammals, they nurse their young with breast milk. 

They have very high communication skills amongst themselves. They are very social and prefer to live in pods rather than alone. Females will create a communal/ family creche for the young, so that others may go to hunt and feed. They show emotions of happines and sadness. They mourn the death of a member of the pod, especially an offspring. They also display working in teams to achieve a common goal. When hunting, they create tight balls of sardines by circling and herding them, and then diving straight through them to feed. Pods are very protective of each other and sometimes show compassion, and may adopt a young out of another pod if it has been left behind or lost its mother. 

Additionally, they have mirror neurons, being able to pass the mirror test and detect themselves in a mirror. Mirror neurons may also indicate empathy. 

In short, they display more "human" emotions and behaviors than any other non-primate mammal.  Here is what I have found may be what the human dolphin combo may look like.

Lets walk with the dolphins

We at Dolphin Cove (Ocho Rios location only) offer a very special opportunity for you.  We have the Dolphin Trek experience.   

Dolphin Trek, with Sea Trek helmet, is the ultimate sea trek program where participants can walk underwater while surrounded by dolphins.  Dolphin Trek offers the most innovative intimate dolphin encounter on the planet!  Dolphin Trek is all dolphins, all the time.You participate in a brief presentation after which, you descend 12 feet under water to begin your interaction with these amazing creatures

Let me describe this for you in a bit of detail.  You don this cool looking helmet and walk under water while you interact with our dolphins.  Better yet.  Take a look at this video and see for yourself.  Jamaica Gleaner video with Dolphin Trek

I know that there is a lot of interest in people trying or learning to scuba dive so maybe take two things off your bucket list and try a Dolphin Trek.  You can walk with the dolphins and have a experience quite similar to scuba diving but with a lot less gear and danger.   

Some facts about our Dolphins.

In todays post I have compiled some dolphin facts. With back to school near we need to start to get our brains back into gear. Today lets learn about the care of our dolphins




Did you Know


Did you know

• Dolphin cove has an internationally recognized animal care program?
  
• Each dolphin participates in husbandry behaviours each day?
  
• The health of every dolphin is closely monitored by a team of veterinarians?
  
• All the dolphins at Dolphin Cove were either born here or come from Oceanariums in Mexico or Cuba?
  
• All our dolphins have CITES permits?
  
• Dolphin Cove has a very successful rescue and reproduction program
  

Members of this species adapt to and do well in the captive environment. They live long and healthy lives (on average, longer than in the wild) and have a high reproduction rate. They are playful animals, exhibiting a natural curiosity. Strong bonds are formed with their human counterparts. There is much that goes on in the life of the dolphin that we will never see or that is difficult to see in the wild. A controversial topic is holding dolphins in captivity. A recent Harris poll has shown that over 95% of the people polled feel that properly maintained and run marine mammal parks provide a heightened appreciation for and understanding of these animals and add to the efforts in their conservation as a species. With 126 million visitors to dolphin habitats each year, the opportunity to teach appreciation for and conservation of the dolphin is tremendous.

A study of Atlantic Bottle nose Dolphin life span in the wild carried out by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums has shown that there is 30% mortality in their first 12 months due to maternal abandonment, pollution, predation, boat strikes, entanglement in fishing equipment, capture for human consumption, and disease. In the wild, the average life span of the Bottle-nose one year or older is an average of 25 years. In captivity, Bottle nose dolphins live an average of 30-35 years, having veterinary care, non-polluted water, no predation, no boat strikes, quality controlled food, no fishing equipment in which to become entangled, and careful observation and support of the birthing and mothering processes. In a survey taken in 1983, 32% of all dolphins being held in captivity had been born at a captive habitat.