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posted by Serge Abourjeily on 2008/05/27

CDF’2008: A Lion’s Dive at Curacao Sea Aquarium

People on Curacao often say that there are no big fishes around this island. That is partially true but definately does not include Sea Lions! When you already thought that Tarpons are cool then you also have to check out the Sea Lion Dive with Animal Encounters at the Sea Aquarium, Curacao. Today we had a wonderful dive with Camilla, a six year old female Sea Lion and her Trainer on the reef. Go and see some photos of this extraordinary experience.

Jonathans diving lions

One of Andi's lectures was at the Curacao Sea Aquarium where you can see dolphins, sealions and other interesting creatures. Like always we had mixed feelings about animals in captivity. But when we fround out more about the aquarium, talked with some of the trainers and saw the wide natural seawater areas the animals have, we were amazed. So we didn't think twice, when we were offered a dive with a sealion. These dives are organized with Animal Encounters – a dive base within the aquatium.

First there is a extended briefing given to the divers by the sealion trainer. Then the divers enter the housereef together with a photographer, who will take pictures of the dive. The trainer enters the reef together with a sealion and then joins the group. When we did the dive, it was Camilla's turn. On the reef the six year old sealion lady got little snacks from the trainer jonathan once in a while. In between she constantly circled the divers – and who ever puts his hand staight out got some petting from her swimming by. A wonderful experience. But Jonathan assured us, that the sealions enjoy doing the dives – actually he does the same reef-tour with them even if there is no customers. And if a sealion doesn't want to join him for the reef tour it doesn't have to.

You can book the dive either directly at Animal Encounters in the sea Aquarium or at Ocean Encounters dive bases around the island. For exemple through Lions Dive at Breezes. Anyway – the dive is definately worth doing it. Find some pictures attached.

Photos: Sea Lion Dive at Curaçao Sea Aquarium with Animal Encounters

$The Sea Lion trainer Jonathan explains \nthe procedures for the dive to guests$
The Sea Lion trainer Jonathan explains the procedures for the
dive to guests

Andi waiting to take the Sea Lion for a walk

Snacks for the Sea Lion at Animal Encounters, Curacao

$Rough weather and rocky entry for the\nSea Lion dive at the Curacao Aquarium$
Rough weather and rocky entry for the Sea Lion dive at the Curacao Aquarium

Here she comes, Camilla is a six year old sea lion

When you hold out your hand the Sea Lion comes

$Camilla the six year old Sea Lion of\nAnimal Encouters, Curacao Aquarium$
Camilla the six year old Sea Lion of Animal Encouters, Curacao Aquarium

Trainer Jonathan and Sea Lion camilla waling the reef

Trainer Jonathan takes Sea Lion Camilla for a walk on the reef

$Camilla the Sea Lion making her \nway through a bunch of divers$
Camilla the Sea Lion making her way through a bunch of divers

$Animal encounters at the Sea Aquarium offers \na photo service for the Sea Lion dive on the reef$
Animal encounters at the Sea Aquarium offers a photo service for the Sea Lion dive on the reef

$After every round on the reef Camilla the Sea Lion \ncomes in to stub her Trainer for a small snack$
After every round on the reef Camilla the Sea Lion comes in to stub her Trainer for a small snack

$The magic snack for the Sea Lion is \nin a box with the trainer Jonathan$
The magic snack for the Sea Lion is in a box with the trainer Jonathan

$Sea Lion and her trainer Jonathan \nin perfect harmony on the reef$
Sea Lion and her trainer Jonathan in perfect harmony on the reef

Camilla the Sea Lion looking into the frame

$Camilla the Sea Lion waves "bye, bye.." before\nreturning into her habitat at the Sea Aquarium, Curacao$
Camilla the Sea Lion waves "bye, bye.." before returning into her habitat at the Sea Aquarium, Curacao

$Animal encounters at the Sea Aquarium offers \na photo service for the Sea Lion dive on the reef$
Animal encounters at the Sea Aquarium offers a photo service for the Sea Lion dive on the reef

Camilla inspecting herself in Andi's dome

$Camilla passes by for another petting\njob with the guests of animal encounters$
Camilla passes by for another petting job

$The Sea Lion is very nosy and enjoys to \nbrowse the group of divers around her$
The Sea Lion is very nosy and enjoys to browse the group of divers around her

Camilla the Sea Lion makes a turn

categories: features | events | travel | underwater photography

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comments

Nice underwater pics and scene, I like it to bring to my aquarium scape. http://tropicalaquaria.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-to-breed-ram-cichlid.html "] How to Breed Ram Cichlid [/url]

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 2008/09/25

People on Curacao often say that there are no big fishes around this island. That is partially true but definately does not include Sea Lions! When you already thought that Tarpons are cool then you also have to check out the Sea Lion Dive with Animal Encounters at the Sea Aquarium, Curacao. Today we had a wonderful dive with Camilla, a six year old female Sea Lion and her Trainer on the reef. Go and see some photos of this extraordinary experience.

rdpbd

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 2011/11/05

That is part align but definately does not let Sea Lions! When you already content that Tarpons are modify then you also bang to examine out the Sea Lion Nightspot with Organism Encounters at the Sea Tank, Curacao. Today we had a wonderful diving with Camilla, a six assemblage old person Sea Lion and her Simulator on the reef. Go and see few photos of this tremendous receive.

rdpbd

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 2011/11/13

You can aggregation the plunge either direct at Sensual Encounters in the sea Aquarium or at Ocean Encounters dive bases around the island. For exemple through Lions Swim at Breezes. Anyway - the descent is definately designer doing it. Maturate whatsoever pictures betrothed.

rdpbd

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 2011/11/14

So you essential a diving check, eh? Fine, the premier object you must decide is whether this is to be a operational nightclub rite or just something to care good on your carpus. Patch it is realistic to deed a sufficient fall watch that give seem sound you module ordinarily relinquish something when disagreeable to unify looks and execution.

rdpbd

posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 2011/11/17