Aquarium / Sea Life Centre

Memories of working at the dolphinarium

By L Pike

Back in 1988 I worked in the Sea Life Centre when it had the dolphinarium in it. I had the job of cleaning the glass on the inside of the barriers to the pool. There were the 2 dolphins, called Missy and Silver. To clean the glass. I had to sit in this little boat that they used to take the children round the pool on their birthdays or whatever, and this one time, when I was cleaning the glass, Missy took the ring of the boat round her nose and I had a free ride and nearly fell over board!!!

The best experience I had was on my last day when they let me and a mate swim with them. It was incredible, they were very friendly and didn`t seem to mind at all. I was glad though to hear on the news that they were given their freedom in the open sea, as that pool was far too small.

Did you know that years ago there were 5 dolphins in there at one time? I can say, though, that they were very well cared for. They also had sea-lions and seals and a baby crocodile and some penguins there as well. It's not the same there now as I took my kids there, and was only there for about an hour. It was very expensive and not much to do. What a shame!