Near the village of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq in North Malta is the theme park: Marineland. Here you will find an array of marine animals and birds. This is not a zoo, but a park that aims to show the animals to visitors in an educational manner. This is to promote environmental awareness and the protection of marine ecosystems.
History Marineland
Marineland came to Malta in the 1990s and is now one of Malta’s biggest theme parks. If you are travelling on a Malta Tour or Supreme Travel Open Top Buses, you will pass by this park. Feel free to get off and pay it a visit.
Animals and Shows
There are several sea creatures. Think dolphins, sea lions and different kinds of tropical fish. The dolphin show is a must-see where you can see how the trainers interact with the dolphins, this also to educate the public about becoming aware of our environment and marine protection.
Also stop by the sea lions, where you can see the special bond between trainer and sea lion. Finally, you walk past exotic birds, but there are also scary pythons and tarantulas. If you don’t like those, then best run past them!
Swimming with dolphins
Extremely popular is the swimming with dolphins activity. It is fun to interact with these playful animals. Simple interactions are performed and there is a strict procedure beforehand that you have to go through before being allowed to swim with the animals. Think fake nails, jewellery, or whatever you wear that could hurt the animals.
Then you will be briefed by the park on what you can or cannot do when you are in the pool with these unique marine mammals. The welfare of these animals is paramount, and you will notice this when you take part in this activity.
You can also interact with the animals in the park. The programme will inform you about it, feel free to check their site. Interactive participation means doing fun things with the animals, but not necessarily swimming. It goes a bit further than just watching. You get explanations from trainers about how the animals live. You can stand near the sea lions and receive a big kiss and learn about their natural habitat.
Education
Marineland focuses on environmental awareness so don’t worry, it’s not a cheap show with the animals, it’s educational shows. The importance of ocean conservation and marine ecosystems are important, and Marineland creates awareness in you when you visit the park. So bring your kids because they will learn a lot from this attraction, we can guarantee you that!
Criticism and Animal Welfare
Of course, Marineland has also faced criticism, as activists consider it a no-go that the animals live in captivity. But no animal in Marineland was born in the wild. So to abandon this is not an option because the animals do not survive in the wild. Marineland is aware of the critics and works every year to inform everyone about what the animals mean to the park and vice versa.
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