FAQ : Marine Life Park Blog

Marine Life Park will be the world’s largest Oceanarium with more than 60 million litres of water and over 100,000 marine animals from 800 species. It will have two separate ticketed attractions, S.E.A. Aquarium, and Adventure Cove Waterpark. MLP is built on an unique edutainment concept, aiming to inspire visitors to do their part for our blue oceans, through education, conservation and research programmes.

Situated on Sentosa Island, our integrated resort has the advantage of being surrounded by water and hence, we wanted to give Singaporeans and visitors the opportunity to understand and appreciate the unique marine life in our oceans. The MLP will play an important role in educating visitors on the diversity and beauty of marine life. For many visitors to the MLP, it will likely be their first close-up encounter with marine life. We hope the experience will inspire them to think about playing their part in caring more about marine animals and their conservation.

In addition, the MLP will also have a structured education and research programme for the propagation and conservation of marine life animals. MLP will work with both local and overseas academic institutions and other marine animal facilities to collaborate on a variety of research and educational programmes.

The MLP will offer a myriad of activities for guests of all ages. At the Rainbow Reef, guests will be able to snorkel amongst thousands of brightly coloured tropical fish. They can take the plunge to tour the 620-metre Adventure River which includes an underground grotto, or experience the fun and excitement of our exhilarating water slides and Bluwater Bay wave pool.

There will be more than 100,000 marine animals across various species, such as non-endangered sharks, jellyfish and moray eels. Other aquatic species include a variety of rays and many pelagic school fish. One of the most interesting and educational elements of MLP will be our Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins.

Testimonials abound about how deeply-moving encounters in aquariums and parks have inspired guests to become more aware and proactive towards conservation of the environment. Some guests may even be inspired to take up careers in marine conservation and education. Similarly, we offer many of these opportunities and experiences that will inspire our guests and potentially make a positive impact.

S.E.A. Aquarium is located in Resorts World Sentosa, within Sentosa Island. Guests visiting S.E.A. Aquarium may enter the attraction through the entrance of The Maritime Experiential Museum.

You may do so online at www.rwsentosa.com, via the Resorts World Sentosa Reservation Hotline (+65 6577 8899), or on-site at any Resorts World Sentosa ticket booths located at Universal Studios Singapore, The Maritime Experiential Museum, as well as the RWS Ticketing and Membership Hub.

Yes, but please note that same day tickets are subject to availability.

Ticket booths operate as follows:

S.E.A. Aquarium Operating Hours*: 10am – 6pm
Booths: 10am – 6pm

*Last admission into S.E.A. Aquarium is 30 minutes before closing time.

Operating hours are subject to changes. Please check our Visitor Info page for details on your chosen day of visit.

No, they are the same price. However, the print-at-home function allows immediate access into S.E.A. Aquarium without needing to stop at a ticket booth. Guests are required to print the confirmation and E-ticket that was purchased online to ensure access into S.E.A. Aquarium.

Visit www.rwsentosa.com or check with your local travel agents for the latest promotions and packages to suit your holiday needs.

Guests can purchase the tickets at the ticket booths at S.E.A. Aquarium. However, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets before arrival at the hotels via the website or the reservations hotline at +65 6577 8899. If the guests have already arrived at the hotel and have not bought tickets yet, they can purchase tickets from S.E.A. Aquarium ticket booths or from the Hotel Concierge located in the lobby of their on-site hotel.

There will be tickets allotted specially for hotel guests. We would encourage guests to book their tickets in advance, or when they make their room reservations.

For your convenience, a variety of payment methods are available. For online ticket purchases, you may use either debit/credit cards such as VISA and Master Card. Should you wish to make your ticket purchases at the ticket booths, you may do so using cash, credit/debit cards, NETS, American Express and China Union Pay (CUP).

Tickets are not transferable and must be used by the same person throughout the day.

We regret to inform you that tickets sold are non-refundable.

If you purchased your ticket online or via the Resorts World Reservation Hotline, please visit the Group Sales Windows at The Maritime Experiential Museum or at the Guest Services counter before entering S.E.A. Aquarium, so that your unused ticket can be reprinted. Guests will be required to present the credit card used for the purchase and a photo identification card for verification. If your tickets were purchased on-site and you are able to produce proof of purchase, you may proceed to Guest Services Counter located within S.E.A. Aquarium for assistance.

S.E.A. Aquarium admission is valid for an entire day. If you need to leave S.E.A. Aquarium, please get a hand stamp at the exit. A valid hand stamp and ticket are required for same day re-entry.

S.E.A. Aquarium tickets purchased online are valid for 180 days from the date indicated at point of purchase. Do note that confirmed transactions cannot be cancelled, refunded, or amended under any circumstances.

S.E.A. Aquarium operating hours vary based on the time of year and day of week. Please check our Visitor Info page for details on your chosen day to visit. Do note that attraction operation hours are subject to change and should be verified at our website, www.rwsentosa.com for the latest updates.

Please refrain from eating or drinking inside S.E.A. Aquarium, except at the designated food & beverage outlets. We offer a variety of fresh and delicious food for our guests to enjoy at our restaurant and quick bite corner in S.E.A. Aquarium. There is a restaurant (Ocean Restaurant) and a quick bite corner (S.E.A.side Snacks) in the S.E.A. Aquarium.

However, we do understand that guests may need to bring in food bought from outside S.E.A. Aquarium. Please note the following guidelines:

Acceptable items:

• Bottled water
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements
• Any food required for special dietary needs
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (216mm x 152mm x 152mm)

Prohibited Items:

• Picnic lunches
• Alcohol
• Hard-sided coolers
• Glass containers, bottles
• Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
• Coolers, suitcases, and bags with wheels

Please be advised that all bags and personal items are subject to inspection.

ATMs are located outside S.E.A. Aquarium and The Maritime Experiential Museum, along Festive Walk L2. Please ask any Resorts World Sentosa Team Member for more information.

If you fall ill during your visit, you are encouraged to approach any Resorts World Sentosa Team Member for assistance.

Please enquire about it with Resorts World Sentosa Team Members at the locations where you may have left it. You can also visit the Guest Services counter located at the Entrance to S.E.A. Aquarium and inquire about your lost articles, or ask any of our Team Members for assistance. Resorts World Sentosa and S.E.A. Aquarium assume no responsibility for any lost, stolen or damaged articles.

There are no nursing rooms within S.E.A. Aquarium. Guests who wish to use a nursing room should proceed to the nursing rooms located within The Maritime Experiential Museum.

Smoking is not permitted inside S.E.A. Aquarium. Guests who wish to smoke can proceed outside The Maritime Experiential Museum, next to the Crane Dance plaza. We urge customers to be considerate and observe the designated smoking areas.

It is estimated that it takes between 1-2 hours depending on the group size.

Unfortunately lockers are not available in the S.E.A. Aquarium at this point in time.

Yes. We recommend smaller strollers to navigate crowded areas more easily.

There are no strollers for rent at this time.

S.E.A. Aquarium offers barrier-free accessibility inside the attraction. Guests travelling in wheelchairs can access most of the routes in S.E.A. Aquarium. Ocean Dome can be accessed by the lift located along the back of the Ocean Gallery.

There is no published schedule at this time.

Feel free to take as many pictures as you would like. For the comfort and safety of our animals we ask that you refrain from the use of flash photography.

No pets or animals are allowed within S.E.A. Aquarium, with the exception of service animals for guests with disabilities.

Yes. We offer several exciting educational programs at S.E.A. Aquarium. Educators who are interested in bringing your students to S.E.A. Aquarium can email mlpeducation@rwsentosa.com

The gift shop is located near the exit of the S.E.A. Aquarium. Please refer to the S.E.A. Aquarium Map found in the visitor guide or ask any of our Resorts World Sentosa Team Member, for more information.

Yes. S.E.A.side Snacks offers a wide variety of quick bites for the entire family who wishes to take a short break. For a sumptuous sit down meal, head down to Ocean Restaurant, located next to the Open Ocean Gallery. Please refer to the S.E.A. Aquarium guide map for their locations.

Yes. All our outlets offer a vegetarian choice and/or a healthy choice.

There are no Halal –certified restaurants in S.E.A. Aquarium. Guests may find Halal-certified restaurants in Universal Studios Singapore or at the Malaysian Food Street.

Yes! Please contact our MICE Sales Representatives through email at mice@rwsentosa.com or call +65 6577 9977 for any event’s needs.

S.E.A. Aquarium Map can be downloaded here or are available onsite as well as the main entrance.

Complimentary parking does not apply for in-park guests.

S.E.A. Aquarium is located in Resorts World Sentosa, within Sentosa Island.
Island admission charges still applies if you enter via the Sentosa Gateway Gantry . Click here to view a map of Resorts World Sentosa.

As S.E.A. Aquarium is located on Sentosa Island itself, guests visiting S.E.A. Aquarium can get to Sentosa via several ways:

By Walking:
Guests can opt for a leisurely 10 minutes stroll into Sentosa via the Sentosa Boardwalk. Admission into the island is $1 per entry by this mode of entry. After passing through the gantries, look out for signs pinpointing S.E.A. Aquarium’s location.

By Buses:
RWS 8 is a public bus service which will bring guests directly into Resorts World for a $2 fee (Guests need not pay for the island admission if they are entering Sentosa via RWS 8). The disembarkation point would be outside the RWS Casino. There are two boarding locations for the bus (outside of Vivo City, and Merill Lynch Building).

By Sentosa Express:
Sentosa Express is located on Level 3 of Vivo City. Guests are required to pay $3.50 for this mode of admission. The Sentosa Express Tickets can be bought at the Sentosa counters located right outside the Sentosa Express gantries.

You may do so online at www.rwsentosa.com, via the Resorts World Sentosa Reservation Hotline (+65 6577 8899), or on-site at the Adventure Cove Waterpark ticketing counters or any or any Resorts World Sentosa ticketing counters located at Universal Studios Singapore, The Maritime Experiential Museum and RWS Ticketing and Membership Hub.

Yes, but please note that tickets are subject to availability should you choose to purchase them on the day of visit. Ticket booths operate daily during posted park operating hours. Please visit us at www.rwsentosa.com for the latest updates on park operating hours.

There are no differences in prices but due to the Adventure Cove Waterpark limited capacity, tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Do note that tickets are dated i.e. Tickets bought for the 4th of March 2012 is only valid on 4th of March 2012. Terms and conditions of the admission tickets can be found here.

No, they are the same. However, the print-at-home function allows immediate access into the park without needing to stop at a ticket counter. Guests are required to print the confirmation and E-ticket that was purchased online to ensure access into Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Visit www.rwsentosa.com or check with your local travel agents for the latest promotions and packages to suit your holiday needs.

Guests can purchase the tickets at the ticketing counters located at the entrance of Adventure Cove Waterpark (subject to availability). Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets before arrival at the hotels via the website or the reservation hotline at +65 6577 8899 to avoid disappointment. If the guests have already arrived at the hotel and have not bought tickets yet, they can purchase tickets from the Resorts World Sentosa hotel concierge desk or any Resorts World Sentosa ticketing counters located at Universal Studios Singapore, The Maritime Experiential Museum, RWS Ticketing and Membership Hub or at Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Tickets for hotel guests are on a first-come-first-served basis. We would encourage guests to book their tickets when they make their room reservations.

Once inside Adventure Cove Waterpark, all attractions are included in your admission ticket, except the Ray Bay experience and rental of Cabanas, which vary in costs. To enquire on the availability of these offerings, please visit the Guest Services windows located inside the park upon arrival.

For your convenience, a variety of payment methods are accepted including cash, credit/debit cards, NETS and China Union Pay (CUP). The types of credit/debit cards which are accepted are VISA, Mastercard, JCB and American Express (AMEX).

Tickets are not transferable and must be used by the same person throughout the day.

We regret to inform you that tickets sold are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

If you purchased your ticket online or via the Resorts World Reservation Hotline, please visit the Groups Sales counters so that your unused ticket can be reprinted. You will be required to present the credit card used for the purchase and a photo identification card for verification. If your tickets were purchased on-site and you are able to produce proof of purchase, you may proceed to the Group Sales counter for assistance.

Adventure Cove Waterpark admission is valid for an entire day. If you need to leave Adventure Cove Waterpark, please obtain a re-entry handstamp at the exit. A valid handstamp and ticket are required for re-entry. For special events, terms & conditions apply.

Please note Adventure Cove Waterpark tickets are date specific .Confirmed transactions cannot be cancelled, refunded, or amended under any circumstances.

‘Express queues’ are currently not offered at Adventure Cove Waterpark.

Please refer to Adventure Cove Waterpark’s Swimwear Policy here.

For the safety of our guests, swim masks are not permitted inside Adventure Cove Waterpark. However, basic swim goggles and baby aided floating devices are permitted.

Adventure Cove Waterpark operating hours are from 10am to 6pm daily. Do note that operating hours are subject to change and should be verified on our website, www.rwsentosa.com for the latest updates.

For the safety of our guests and team members in the event of severe weather with lightning, all outdoor attractions in Adventure Cove Waterpark may close temporarily.

Adventure Cove Waterpark does not close based on weather conditions. Therefore, tickets are non-refundable.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside Adventure Cove Waterpark. We offer a variety of fresh and delicious food for our guests to enjoy at our restaurants and concession stands inside Adventure Cove Waterpark. However, we do understand that guests may need to bring in food bought from outside Adventure Cove Waterpark. Please note the following guidelines:

Acceptable items:

• Bottled water
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically–indicated nutritional supplements
• Any food required for special dietary needs
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep (216mm x 152mm x 152mm)

Prohibited items:

• Picnic lunches
• Alcohol
• Hard-sided coolers
• Glass containers, bottles
• Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5″ wide x 6″ high x 6″ deep
• Coolers, suitcases and bags with wheels

Please be advised that all bags and personal items are subject to inspection.

We accept cash, NETS, China Union pay (CUP), major credit and debit cards such as VISA, Mastercard, JCB and American Express. For assistance, please refer to the Waterpark guide map, or ask any of our Team Members.

First Aid is available inside Adventure Cove Waterpark under the Whirlpool Washout attraction. If you fall ill during your visit, please approach any Team Member for assistance.

Please approach our Team Members at the location where you may have left the item. You can also visit the Guest Services counters and enquire about your lost articles. Resorts World Sentosa and Adventure Cove Waterpark assume no responsibility for any lost, stolen or damaged articles.

For safety purposes, there are height, weight, and/or health restrictions for various attractions. Please check the Rider’s Guide for more information or review the safety guidelines posted at each attraction prior to riding.

A complimentary Rider’s Guide for guests with disabilities is available at Guest Services windows located inside the Waterpark. This guide explains boarding procedures and specific information relating to each attraction.

There are both indoor and outdoor shower facilities. Indoor shower facilities are available in the male and female washrooms.

Tubes are provided for select attractions and for guests to use in the Adventure River. Guests may also obtain a personal floatation jacket for use at Bluwater Bay or the Adventure River subject to availability. Personal Floatation Jackets are required and provided for guests who wish to experience Rainbow Reef. Restrictions applies regarding the use of personal floatation devices on select slides and attractions.

Baby Care Centres are located at the entrance plaza (near the lockers area).

Smoking is permitted at designated smoking areas only. These designated areas are also indicated on the Adventure Cove Waterpark guide map.

We advise all visitors under the age of 13 years to be accompanied by an adult.

Water in the pools contains either sea water or chlorinated water.

Yes. The Bay Restaurant at Adventure Cove Waterpark is a quick-service dining venue that offers local favourites, Asian and Western delights. In addition, there are also food carts situated at different locations inside the Waterpark where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

There is no Halal –certified restaurants in the park. The Bay Restaurant and Café Grotto have food options without pork.

Yes, our outlets offer vegetarian as well as healthy choices.

Yes. Please contact our MICE Sales Representatives through email at mice@rwsentosa.com or call +65 6577 9977 for any event needs.

Yes, there are, and these offer a wide variety of food choices.

Feel free to take as many pictures as you would like. There are also photographers located within the Waterpark to assist with capturing your lasting memories. However, please note that production cameras are not allowed inside the Waterpark.

No pets or animals are allowed within our premises, with the exception of service animals for guests with disabilities. Please note that while service animals are permitted inside the Waterpark, they are not permitted to enter any of the water attractions or play areas.

The Adventure Cove Waterpark Map can be downloaded here or are available onsite as well as the main entrance.

Yes, there is a gift shop, Reef N Wave Wear located at the Entrance Plaza.

Complimentary parking does not apply to in-park guests.

Adventure Cove Waterpark is located in Resorts World Sentosa, within Sentosa Island. Island admission charges still apply. Click here to view a map of Resorts World Sentosa.

As Adventure Cove Waterpark is located on Sentosa Island itself, guests visiting Adventure Cove Waterpark can get to Sentosa via several ways:

By Walking:
Guests can opt for a leisurely 10 minutes stroll into Sentosa via the Sentosa Boardwalk. Admission into the island is $1 per entry by this mode of entry. After passing through the gantries, look out for signs pinpointing Adventure Cove Waterpark’s location.

By Buses:
RWS 8 is a public bus service which will bring guests directly into Resorts World Sentosa for a $2 fee (Guests need not pay for the island admission if they are entering Sentosa via RWS 8). The disembarkation point would be outside the RWS Casino. There are two boarding locations for the bus (outside of Vivo City, and Merill Lynch Building).

By Sentosa Express:
Sentosa Express is located on Level 3 of Vivo City. Guests are required to pay $3.50 for this mode of admission. The Sentosa Express tickets can be bought at the Sentosa counters located right outside the Sentosa Express gantries.

By Car:
If you enter via RWS B1 car park, only car park charges apply.
If you enter via Sentosa gantry, Sentosa Island admission and car park charges apply.

Yes, a one-time locker fee allows unlimited access during your entire day of visit. Lockers are available in Small (360mm high x 370mm wide x 500mm deep) and Large (910mm high x 370mm wide x 500mm deep) sizes. Costs of the lockers for daily rentals are $10 (Small) and $20 (Large) during park operating hours.

Unfortunately, we do not have such a policy but guests with children who are too young to experience Adventure Cove Waterpark are encouraged to use Kids Club! located at Hard Rock Hotel Singapore. Click here for information regarding the activities and costs to participate in Kids Club!

We regret to inform you that we do not provide beach towels in Adventure Cove Waterpark. Guests can purchase beach towels the retail store, Reef n Wave Wear.

Cabanas are available for rental on-site, on a first come, first serve basis at the Guest Services Windows. Cabana rental includes a personal standing shower, ceiling fan, cushioned chairs, water bottles, towels and food vouchers. Please visit the Guest Services windows inside the park for more details and availability.

The Marine Life Park will be home to our beautiful Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins where guests will have an unforgettable experience and opportunity to meet dolphins up-close to learn, feed and interact with them. There will be a variety of dolphin interaction programmes for guests to choose from which allows the guest to get in the water with the dolphins or stay dry on the sides. MLP will not be having any dolphin shows.

We have assembled a team of experts to support our efforts in various aspects pertaining to the care, well- being, education, research and conservation of marine life.

The MLP has already opened its laboratory and developed the required veterinary and husbandry procedures and protocols required to house and maintain marine mammals. In addition, we are pursuing the launch of new conservation and research initiatives. The care and well-being of our marine life will take precedence over all else.

We hold the belief that zoological organisations have a role to play in wildlife conservation and that to avert species crises, controlled wildlife collections can occur for quality zoological facilities to increase our understanding of the species and for breeding purposes.

To put it in context, the movement of marine animals including dolphins is governed by the United Nations Environment Programme which upholds the internationally agreed upon policies of CITES. Bottlenose dolphins, which are the species of dolphins that will be housed at our marine park, are not classified as endangered nor are they threatened with extinction.

Our research programmes with our animals, together with field research, forms one of the fundamental pieces in the worldwide conservation of marine mammals. Our staff will collaborate with other research facilities and institutions to conduct studies important to the conservation of marine animals and their environment. We want to play our part in the propagation of dolphins, and very early made the decision to implement a breeding programme at our marine park.

Dolphins have bred successfully in marine parks, an important measure of successful adaption of dolphins to human care. Today, the success of these breeding programmes provides us with valuable insight and knowledge into the propagation of this and other marine mammal species. Decades of successful breeding of bottlenose dolphins in parks that span Australia to Hong Kong and the United States have shown these animals to be very adaptable to living in controlled environments.

It is easy to believe that leaving dolphins to live in the wild is the right thing to do. We all love images of dolphins swimming in blue limitless waters. It is far more difficult to get people to see what’s happening below the water or on the surface of our oceans. If you are tuned into the environment, you know oceans are struggling more than they ever have. Seeing a dolphin in the wild might not necessarily indicate that it has not ingested oil, or eaten radiated fish or survived an attack by a hungry shark. We all want a wild that is free from nuclear waste, oil spills and depleted fish supplies.

Increased vulnerability to diseases, as well as reproductive failure, are concerns for wild dolphin populations due to extremely high accumulation of chemical and metal residues released into the environment by human activities through runoff or incineration and airborne transport of toxic chemicals (Starvos et al., 2011; Hall et al., 2006; Wells et al., 2005; Schwacke et al., 2002; Lahvis et al., 1995; Kuehl et al., 1991; Cockcroft et al., 1989). These findings have both direct and indirect impact on human health as well (Fair et al., 2007; Bossart, 2006; Houde et al., 2005).

We believe now more than ever, that zoological parks and research are necessary because in today’s world, humans and animals are no longer isolated from each other. Almost everything we do affects them and our shared environment. We want to work for marine animals and with marine animals. And, yes, we believe there is a great need for healthy populations of dolphins in the wild and a small number in zoological parks that have the ability to properly care for them and learn from them.

Scientific data over the past decades show that bottlenose dolphins can indeed thrive in marine parks. Dolphins in marine parks have lived in excess of 40 years, often exceeding the average life span of many of their counterparts in the wild. Contrary to popular belief dolphins in the wild do not necessarily enjoy a totally carefree life. In the wild, they can become victims of predation, are taken as ‘by catch’ by many fishing fleets, subjected to on-going ocean pollution or ingest contaminated food.

Based on recent research by the Alliance of Marine Mammals and Aquariums, the estimated median lifespan of bottlenose dolphins in human care is now nearly double that of dolphins in the wild.

It is tough to make spatial judgments for any organism: humans, pets or wild animals.

It is not the pools that make a difference. We have learned that what makes the difference are: 1) adequate space; 2) a varied daily schedule of activities including play, learning, exercise, socialisation and rest; 3) a healthy diet; 4) uncompromised medical care; and most importantly; 5) positive relationships and interactions with humans.

Our dedicated team of experts at MLP includes highly respected veterinarians and experts from various fields in marine husbandry, and they are committed in providing the very best care for our dolphins with a superior diet, daily behavioral enrichment and veterinary care. There are five vets in this core team, counting over 75 years of experience between them. We have also built a marine mammal clinical diagnostic laboratory to ensure proactive animal health exams and treatments are available around-the-clock. All our dolphins have been under a robust health and husbandry programme since the beginning. This programme will continue at the animals’ new facility at our Marine Life Park when it opens.

We will not have dolphin shows, but will surely allow them to explore the range of their natural physical abilities in exercise sessions.

As we have always maintained, there are no plans to conduct animal shows. Dolphins in the wild are often in search of opportunities to interact and play. In zoological environments, balls and hoops encourage play activities among dolphins. These activities promote health and social interaction among the animals. As part of caring for our marine mammals, the MLP team has introduced various enrichment devices that are water resistant, durable and safe for our animals.

Our dolphins are now in a well-established facility in Subic Bay, the Philippines. It includes a dedicated veterinary clinic, a marine mammal clinical diagnostic laboratory and enclosures that exceed international standards. Our dolphins are cared for by our team of veterinarians and marine mammal specialists who collectively represent over 300 years of relevant experience working in more than 60 marine mammal facilities globally.

No. We build a relationship with the animals, but we never “force” an animal to be with humans. In fact, a lot of time will be allotted for dolphins to interact with other dolphins in small and large groups.

There are examples of many wild animals seeking out strange animal companions or humans when alone. Bonds are important and our dolphins have humans and a pod of 25 animals with which they will interact.

We encourage you to reserve your opinion until you see our dolphins in their new home at our MLP and meet the skilled caregivers who will carefully guide the animals along their acclimation process.

Frozen fish is often a better alternative than live fish as the freezing process destroys any parasite load that food fish may carry. In addition, the types of fish selected have the optimal amount of nutrients and taste. Even so, we go beyond and supplement the fish with vitamins. We only use positive re-enforcement techniques to bond with our dolphins. Each of them has a specific diet that is specially designed by our veterinary and animal care team to ensure they receive the proper amount of nutritious food in order to keep them healthy.

Our dolphins are currently housed in Subic Bay, the Philippines, in a facility that is safe and conducive to their health and well-being. We exceed stringent international regulations in our facility and ensure our dolphins have space to play, rest, interact and grow healthily.

In 2010, we were saddened by the loss of two of our dolphins to a water-borne bacterial infection, Melioidosis, which also afflicts animals in the wild. No medical expense or effort was spared but, unfortunately, we could not save them. MLP will be participating in efforts to learn more about this disorder for the benefit of wild and captive populations.

Conservation activism and action result from many things; it could be from education programmes, field research, an ocean experience, a tragedy or a film. Our blue planet needs our help in all forms and for us to work together.

Our Marine Life Conservation Fund is set up to support many field conservation programmes. These all contribute to reversing the many downward trends in wild environments and populations. We maintain that combining learning in controlled environments with that in wild environments is the best way forward, while getting people to embrace an experience with such an incredible marine animal. In light of continued ocean and marine life health decline, we see zoological institutions as being the last haven for some species, much like zoos have been for 20 species that were saved from extinction.

We are unequivocal in our commitment to taking on the responsibility of providing uncompromised care for all our marine animals, including our dolphins. Our dolphins have been in our care for more than three years. They have acclimated to human care, and we are confident they will continue to thrive.

To put it in context, it is a fact that millions of people visit marine life parks each year. Their encounters have inspired many to take up careers in marine biology, veterinary science, and to take action on marine conservation.

As with any public issue, there will always be divergent views. However, we hope animal lovers would do their research and learn about these animals from various sources to get a balanced view. We are always open to dialogue and suggestions that help us advance our marine conservation and education mission.

We will continue to do what is best for our animals. We know that putting our animals back into the wild does not advance the cause for their conservation.

More and more, we humans find ourselves competing with, and thereby threatening wildlife. Increasingly, we must share the same environment and resources. The marine life in our oceans is increasingly facing a struggle to survive against ongoing man-made and natural environmental disasters, as recent events have shown us. And for decades to come, such devastating catastrophes and conflicts will continue to challenge the survival of animal life in the wild, highlighting why we so strongly believe that zoological facilities will continue to play a crucial role in today’s world. Through the medium of marine life parks, the public and researchers can effectively learn about marine animals, oceans, and the complex interconnections we share with planet Earth.

We have seen that the zoological model works. We hope to get people excited about oceans and protecting them as well as using our funds to do effective marine conservation, research and education. This mission unites every zoological institution with high standards hoping to impact its community and visitors.

Well-run zoological facilities can also serve as protective guardians of individual animals, especially for those species living in habitats that are in peril. Now, more than ever, it is timely for us to fulfill this significant role before it is too late. We do not want to see a reoccurrence of another dolphin going extinct such as the Yangtze River Dolphin. If these animals had been studied in captivity and if there was a zoological population, there would have been hope for their survival.

Various studies have demonstrated that research with marine mammals under the care of reputable zoological facilities has been and continues to be instrumental in increasing our understanding of dolphin perceptual and cognitive abilities, dolphin communication, dolphin physiology and reproduction as well as dolphin social behaviour (Stan A. Kuczaj II, 2010), among others. Such valuable information yielded, especially via long-term studies, would have been impossible to achieve for those marine mammals living in the wild.

Two independent research studies conducted in 2009 further conclude that guests who view dolphins in zoological setting demonstrated an increase in conservation-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions immediately following their experience and retain what they learn. Participants in dolphin interactive program learned about the animals and conservation, shifted their attitudes, and acquired a sense of personal responsibility for environmental stewardship (Miller, 2009; Sweeney, 2009).

The import of all CITES protected wildlife into Singapore comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and standard international regulations. Bringing our dolphins into the Marine Life Park is no exception.

We have always engaged non-government organisations through various platforms and avenues, and spent considerable time educating them on facts about our facility, animal care and intent. It is with regret that they continued to make inaccurate representation of information (e.g. we will not be having animal shows) and also chosen to resort to online antics to encourage netizens to harass or heckle us and our Facebook fans.

We will move on with the matter at hand, to ensure the best care for our marine animals in the lead up to the opening and to put the finishing touches to our exciting marine conservation, education and research programmes.

We have set a clear vision to build a MLP that will make a mark in marine conservation and research. We have promoted conservation causes such as sustainable sharks finning, saved corals, funded anti-poaching patrols in the Galapagos Islands, and set up the Marine Life Conservation Fund for marine conservation and research.

High on our agenda is our mission to make MLP a world-class institution by hosting conservation and education based programmes and curricula in matters relating to the MLP’s entire collection, including our dolphins. For our research programmes, the MLP team will collaborate with other globally recognised research facilities and institutions in joint research ventures.

On the educational front, RWS has entered into an agreement with Sea Research Foundation to jointly develop a marine environmental curriculum for students in Southeast Asia. Contents of the tertiary school curriculum will be drawn from Sea Research Foundation’s Mystic Aquarium, distinguished for its marine animal education, research and husbandry expertise.

As part of the three-year agreement, Sea Research Foundation and the National Geographic Society will join forces with the MLP to bring the award-winning JASON Project science programs to students in the region. For more information on JASON Project, please visit www.jason.org.

We started our education outreach in 2011 when we organised a town hall session to engage principals and teachers. Back-of-house tours of our off-site facility was also conducted (e.g. NUS High School of Mathematics and Science) to let students relate better to what they have learnt in class (in Marine Biology).

Numerous schools have also been enquiring on when they can bring their students to the Marine Life Park as well as take part of the education programmes. We will roll out visits towards the end of the year once the park is open.

At Marine Life Park, we make it a point to relate them to certain key topics which are being taught in school. For example, we focus on topics such as Habitat for lower primary students, Adaption for upper primary students, as well as Reproduction & Classification for upper primary students too.

We have developed several learning journeys at the S.E.A. Aquarium, including programmes tarted at nursery to primary students.