I just joined IMATA, which is the professional organization for marine mammal trainers (International Marine Animal Trainers Association). It's already been so rewarding and opened many doors. The members gather every year for a week-long conference and submit videos from their facilities for a welcoming video montage.
I can't wait to land a job and continue on in this amazing profession! Doesn't it look like a blast?!
ATTENTION COMMENTERS:
Thank you for your feedback. As one commenter suggested, I am following my own "moral compass" and believe my goals and career choice are the best for me and the animals I'll be serving. There are at least two sides to this matter, but at the end of the day, three things stick out to me:
1. It's important and vital to take care of the animals that are already in human care, and to give them the best life possible (through enrichment, excellent vet care, allowing them to bond with others of their kind and their caretakers, when appropriate)
2. Giving people, young and old, the opportunity to intereact face-to-face with these animals and learn how to best conserve these species and their habitats. (Allowing the animals to be ambassadors for their cousins in the wild)
3. Dedication to further researching these animals so they (and their lands/waters) can be preserved for future generations. This is done through studying them in their natural habitat, when available, or studying their behaviors in captivity. And raising funds to do enable your institution to accomplish these goals.
To answer some of your questions--Yes, I have seen "The Cove" and read dozens of articles about these matters, and I don't approve of many of the practices that are still occurring in our oceans. But as I said before, there are at least two sides to this story, and I have chosen mine after lots of research and consideration.
I didn't create this blog to initiate controversy. Rather, it's a way to keep my friends and family informed on my life and things I find interesting. Feel free to hang around, but I don't encourage or condone a lot of this criticism, as this blog is directed towards people that actually know me. Thanks!
1. It's important and vital to take care of the animals that are already in human care, and to give them the best life possible (through enrichment, excellent vet care, allowing them to bond with others of their kind and their caretakers, when appropriate)
2. Giving people, young and old, the opportunity to intereact face-to-face with these animals and learn how to best conserve these species and their habitats. (Allowing the animals to be ambassadors for their cousins in the wild)
3. Dedication to further researching these animals so they (and their lands/waters) can be preserved for future generations. This is done through studying them in their natural habitat, when available, or studying their behaviors in captivity. And raising funds to do enable your institution to accomplish these goals.
To answer some of your questions--Yes, I have seen "The Cove" and read dozens of articles about these matters, and I don't approve of many of the practices that are still occurring in our oceans. But as I said before, there are at least two sides to this story, and I have chosen mine after lots of research and consideration.
I didn't create this blog to initiate controversy. Rather, it's a way to keep my friends and family informed on my life and things I find interesting. Feel free to hang around, but I don't encourage or condone a lot of this criticism, as this blog is directed towards people that actually know me. Thanks!
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