MARINELAND LETS KIDS SEE WHALES UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

While visiting Niagara Falls, Ontario to complete the travel article for www.hotelfun4kids.com called "A KID’S EYE VIEW OF NIAGARA FALLS IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE, we were fortunate enough to be allowed to view the Killer Whales and Beluga Whales at Friendship Cove. One question we had for the trainers, who so graciously allowed us to help feed the inhabitants, was "WHAT DO THE WHALES DO IN THE WINTER?"

When I first mentioned to my sons that we would be going to Niagara Falls to prepare an article for the website, their first request was "Can we go to Marineland?". My initial answer was "No, I’m sorry but they are closed in the winter.". All I heard after that was one big "Why?".

It seems that Marineland is a popular place for kids and the lure of being able to get close to the magnificent Killer Whales and the beautiful Beluga Whales is more than any kid can resist. We were curious to get a good look at Friendship Cove. We wondered what it was like to visit and touch these magnificent creatures, what the whales did in the off season and why they weren’t open in winter. Well Marineland gave us the answers to our questions first hand.

Friendship cove is the largest facility of its kind and the only one where you can actually touch a Beluga or Killer Whale. There are three separate pools for the whales, two of which have viewing from down below directly into the pools.

Beluga Whales, which are gray when they are born and turn white later, were in the first pool.

When we visited the cove, two of the younger female gray Belugas decided to carry on a conversation with my older son. Sounds went back and forth between these youngsters as if they were children at a playground. It was quite amazing to see how they responded to the human interaction. Beluga Whales are less aggressive and much smaller than the Killer Whales. The trainer told us that they are very gentle and playful animals and he always enjoys his time in the water with them. Unlike the Killer Whales, Belugas can turn their heads sideways and nod their head without turning their whole body, allowing them to appear more humanlike when you watch them swim and play. A ledge around the pool allows the trainers to feed and bring the whales close to visitors were children are able to touch the Whales, which they really appear to enjoy. A Beluga feels like soft smooth rubber. Watching them swim through the underwater window, you can’t help but marvel at the grace and beauty they possess.

When we first arrived at the cove, we were lucky to see Kandu in all his glory close up at the underwater viewing area. He seemed excited to have guests and moved towards the kids, opening and closing his mouth providing an excellent view of his large teeth. You don’t realize how big these animals are until you get so close to them. Kandu followed the children from one side of the glass to the other moving up and down as if to get a better view of his visitors.

Feeding time arrived and the trainers called the Killer Whales, which are actually a member of the Dolphin family, over to the ledges for their meal of mackerel, squid and herring. Trainers split up the whales at feeding time, with Kandu occupying one area, the two youngest whales with one trainer and each of the other whales with a trainer. We were told that during the winter months, feeding time is used as an opportunity to interact with the whales and work on the skills that are needed during the summer months when the whales perform both at the King Waldorf Theater and at Friendship Cove.

The Killer Whales are brought over to the ledge and after having a bit of a meal, come up above the water to permit children to pat them and get a first hand look at the blow holes, peer into their eyes and see large teeth as the Orcas opened and closed their mouths. These mammals swallow the fish whole, with their teeth serving the purpose of catching prey – no chewing before they swallow. While the Beluga has the feel of soft rubber, these whales, though just as smooth, feel much firmer to the touch. After feeding, we were treated to a display of the whales’ ability to leap into the air, tandem jumps, back flips and vertical jumps. During these feats, water splashes everywhere as these powerful creatures fly both in and out of the water.

During the summer people flock to the beaching area at Friendship Cove to pat these whales and the winter months provide the opportunity to train the younger members. The trainers must learn to judge the whale’s moods and gage the mammal’s stress level during their interaction with the public. At all times the safety of the whales and the general public must be considered by the trainers, with the activities at Friendship Cove taking this into account.

This brings us to the question of why Marineland isn’t open in the winter as these creatures prefer the colder water, which doesn’t freeze because of the salt content and the constant flow. Well, up until now most of the attractions at Marineland have been geared to be enjoyed outdoors during milder weather but that is about to change.

Marineland’s owner and founder, John Holer has embarked on the construction of a brand new 20 acre aquarium complex that will be open year round. This new area will have 3 separate aquariums, each containing 1 million gallons of water and a new 2 million gallon pool for the Beluga Whales that will be similar to Friendship Cove and will be named Arctic Cove. Features of this new attraction include:

• Shark Encounter which will house various kinds of sharks, stingrays and other ocean creatures
• An aquarium housing an ocean reef showcasing exotic marine species found in the Caribbean.
• A fresh water fish pool with life from around the world.
• Visitors will be able to view the new facility from below, through acrylic tunnels via a boat ride or side views through acrylic panels and from above.
• People will be able to interact with some sea life at special contact areas.
• A new wilderness adventure ride and train are also part of this new development.

The ground for this new facility was broken in November of 2000, with Shark Encounter and Arctic Cove scheduled for completion for the 2002 season. The remainder of the attraction should be ready by the 2003 season.

We can’t wait to see these new and innovative ways to experience the wonders of the sea and look forward to visiting Marineland again to include information on these new facilities on www.hotelfun4kids.com.

Please visit again for an update to this article sometime in 2002 or visit www.marinelandcanada.com for more information on the other attractions and facilities Marineland Theme Park has to offer.

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