Marine Mammal Trainer

A marine mammal trainer works with large marine mammals usually in a zoo or aquarium setting. Usually training large animals is done using a team approach, so several marine mammal trainers will work with the same group of dolphins, whales, seals, otters or other marine animals and mammals. The marine mammal trainer is responsible for both the mental and physical care of the animals under their care and supervision and therefore works with the animals every day.

A marine mammal trainer usually starts and ends the workday with feeding and cleaning. This means cleaning the areas that the mammal lives in. After feeding there is usually a training session where the marine mammal trainer works to shape the animals behavior into a specific task. A marine mammal trainer may work for days or even months teaching a desired behavior, only using positive rewards to encourage the animal.

In most aquariums and zoos that have marine mammals the marine mammal trainer provides both educational information to the public as well as presents the animals in scheduled shows or events. The current trend is to try to keep the training more natural and inclusive of what the various mammals would do in the wild, rather than having them do a series of tricks. Marine mammal trainers must be very safety conscious both for themselves and the animals under their care.

Common work activities include:

• Preparing specific foods and diets for the various marine mammals within the facility and ensuring that animals are eating and healthy on a daily basis.
• Charting and recording any changes in behavior, issue with health or diet, or monitoring marine animals that are being treated for a health related condition.
• Presenting the marine mammals in shows or educational forums to help educate the public about the various types of marine mammals and their place in the ecosystems in the wild.
• Cleaning and maintaining the living environment of the marine mammals and assisting with developing modifications or changes in the environment.
• Assisting veterinarians or other professionals in the treatment of captive marine mammals both in the facility and those that are rescued from natural settings.

Programs related to Marine Mammal Trainer careers

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