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Darling DolphinNew Poll Confirms Dolphin Is America’s Favorite Marine Mammal
Dolphins are especially popular among women, while men showed a preference for sharks. Forty-six percent of women surveyed listed dolphins as their favorite aquarium animal, while only 34 percent of men did the same. Overall, sharks came in a distant second with 13 percent of the total vote – 17 percent of men and 8 percent of women indicated sharks were their favorite aquarium animal. Tropical fish (11%), killer whales (8%), and sea turtles (7%) rounded out the top five. The poll, released by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and conducted by Harris Interactive®, also showed that 91 percent of respondents agree that interacting with dolphins offers people a deeper understanding and appreciation of them.
Following are some additional findings from the new research:
The opinion poll also revealed that 81 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 to 34 would be interested in swimming with dolphins in a safe, legal and permitted environment at a marine life park, aquarium or zoo. "Meeting these animals one-on-one is a once in a lifetime dream for many people," says Marilee Menard, executive director of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, a 45-member international professional association. "As more families have made this dream a reality as part of their vacation, it seems that word has been spreading about this unforgettable experience." Alliance members report that an increasing number of families spend their family vacation swimming, wading, or otherwise interacting with dolphins, as well as beluga whales, sea lions and other marine mammals. Getting in touch with a dolphin in special interactive programs at marine parks has proven an exciting option for family fun, and children are not the only ones who rave about these programs – the adults are just as awestruck when they come face to face with a dolphin. In fact, 91 percent of the survey participants agreed that interacting with dolphins offers people a deeper understanding and appreciation of this mammal. Dolphin encounters and other marine mammal interactive programs are offered at Alliance member facilities around the world. These programs are designed to be an educational, memorable and moving experience for children and adults alike. "They know it's going to be fun, and they also come away from the experience with incredible respect for the animals, a new appreciation for the need to conserve our oceans, and a glimpse at the special rapport between the animals and the professionals who care for them," said Menard. Different parks and aquariums offer different types of programs involving different animals. Experiences can include interacting with the animals in shallow water, serving as "trainer for a day," or being immersed in the water and swimming with the animals. Interactive programs may involve bottlenose dolphins, beluga whales, seals or sea lions. "Looking a dolphin in the eye, getting a high-five from a sea lion or smelling the breath of a beluga whale can be truly inspiring," adds Menard. "Marine mammal interactive programs are designed to help people connect with nature in a meaningful way. The ultimate goal at responsible parks and aquariums is to provide a safe, enjoyable and educational experience for families while increasing their understanding and appreciation of these magnificent animals and the need to protect them in the wild." Eco-wise vacationers should note the important difference between getting to know trained dolphins at a marine mammal park and attempting to feed or swim with wild dolphins in the ocean, which can be harmful for the animals. Government wildlife agencies around the world join in the plea: "For the dolphins’ sake, and for your safety, please don’t feed, swim with or harass wild dolphins." Feeding wild dolphins disrupts their social groups and threatens their ability to survive in the wild. The U.S. National Marine Fisheries distributes a brochure called "Protect Dolphins: Admire Them from a Distance," which states that "if you want to get up close and personal with dolphins," visit zoos and aquariums. For more information on the poll conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, visit www.ammpa.org/doc_poll.html. For tips on including aquariums as part of your family’s vacation experience, be sure to read the article titled “Vacation With a Dolphin” online at www.travellady.com/Issues/Issue64/vacation.htm. Edited by C. Jason Stewart |
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TM
The
dolphin is America’s sweetheart. According to the results of a new public
opinion poll, a full 40 percent of U.S. adults named the dolphin as their
favorite aquarium animal. 
"Our
visitors tell us that they see and learn about dolphins by visiting marine life
parks, aquariums and zoos," said Marilee Menard, executive director of the
Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, a 45-member international
professional association. "We have always believed that seeing marine mammals in
person helps increase people’s understanding and appreciation of them. This new
research demonstrates that this is more than a belief – it’s a fact."