Dolphin Trainers play a key role to keep the dolphins healthy, mentally stimulated and physically active while living in a captive environment. They train the marine mammals for obedience and display the dolphins’ skills and behaviors to entertain a crowd. They teach dolphins new tricks for performances or therapy methods. They familiarize dolphins with human voices to respond the commands.
Their responsibilities include feeding the dolphins, providing them nutritious meal, managing their medications, keeping their tanks clean etc. These professionals show a great deal of enthusiasm and energy to keep the dolphins excited and interested. They educate the public about dolphins and their importance to the food chain and the natural world. They also help to create awareness among the people for the conservation of dolphins and other marine life.
Dolphin Trainers can be employed in various settings such as research facilities, zoos, aquariums, veterinarian clinics, wildlife rehabilitation centers, resorts that specialize in animal performances. They often work irregular hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Their work involves more physical tasks, such as moving and cleaning the tank, lifting bags of food, and exercising dolphins.
To become Dolphin Trainer, the aspiring candidates need to hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of marine biology, animal behavior or any related areas. The common syllabus includes physiology, zoology marine ecology, animal behavior, marine mammalogyetc. The candidate may also obtain at least a year of hands-on experience in dolphin training.
In addition, these professionals nee to complete a basic scuba diver certification program or take additional courses to become a master scuba diver for better job prospective.
Job Outlook and Salary
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities of Dolphin Trainers may rise 15 percent from 2012 to 2022. The average annual salary of a Dolphin Trainer was $25,770 in 2014.