Everybody's talking about Dolphins by Starlight show

Animal keeper Gabby Harris and Gambit ahead of Dolphins by Starlight which runs until December 13.

Animal keeper Gabby Harris and Gambit ahead of Dolphins by Starlight which runs until December 13.

Published Dec 7, 2016

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Dolphins by  Starlight is a Christmas show like none other!

Gabby Harris, Animal Behaviour Manager at uShaka Marine World, was awarded 2016 Keeper of the Year by Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquaria, known as PAAZA.

The passionate conservationist has more than 20 years of experience with dolphins, that include her time at Sea World. She is recognised as a world leader in both marine and terrestrial animal behaviour and is one of a team of carers and trainers behind the feat that is Dolphins by Starlight.

Cast members of Dolphins By Starlight with dolphin Gambit. The colourful show runs at Durban’s uShaka Marine World from December 8 to 13.

What is the history of this unique show?

Dolphins by Starlight has been part of Durban’s December calendar since 1994 when it all started at the old Sea World at the end of West Street before Sea World moved over to uShaka Marine World.  It is probably the only Christmas Show in Africa featuring dolphins.

 

Dolphins are magical creatures and the night has it’s own kind of magic. How do these two elements come together?

Dolphins are very special creatures. People make and have emotional connections with them and in fact dolphins can even effect this emotion and behavioural state. There’s no way you could leave the show without feeling elated.

Our job at uShaka Sea World, as a part of  the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBRA), is to encourage South Africans to care for nature – the show incorporates both a love of nature, each other and children in need.

 

How does it work logistically. Can dolphins see at night? 

Dolphins have excellent eyesight - in and out of the water. At night the amount of lighting we use is perfect for their needs. We also monitor the sound to ensure it is suitable for their hearing range, which is significantly different to the range experienced by people.

Dolphins hear tones with a frequency up to 160 kHz with the greatest sensitivity ranging from 40 to 100 kHz. The average hearing range for humans is about 0.02 to 20 kHz.

 

Tell us about the training?

Time that we spend with dolphins is always enriching for both the dolphins and the trainers.  To prepare for Dolphins by Starlight,  we train the dolphins to work at night for approximately two weeks and slowly introduce them to the new elements of the show. These elements change every year as each Dolphins by Starlight Show is unique.  uShaka Sea Worlds dolphins are introduced  to new stimuli so that they are continuously engaged in novel experiences. 

 

Tell us about your star cast? Any divas

The uShaka Sea World dolphins are all very personable.  They have their own personalities, and we work with them individually to ensure that each one is taken care of in the manner they enjoy.  

Training for Dolphins by Starlight is no different. Gambit, for example loves the solo limelight.  He is a true Diva.  When there is a large crowd applauding him, he has quirky head movements and body postures that tell us that he is showing off just a little more than normal.  

The group of five female dolphins are magnificent in the evening, and their synchronicity is fine tuned.  The male dolphin group is laid back and gentle and quickly steal the audiences hearts.

 

What are some of the tricks they do and how long does it take to teach?

We train the dolphins to display behaviours that they would naturally do. Besides training them to work under the lights the dolphins will not be doing any new behaviours or tricks per say. 

Animal keeper Gabby Harris and Gambit ahead of Dolphins by Starlight which runs until December 13.

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