Our day began with dolphin observations and data collection before members of our ecotour prepped for their trip to the airport and departure home. We were able to collect some neat behavior observations of dolphins rolling over each other. The feature photo shows Gizmo and Elli swimming over top of the MVA and Kathleen.
After breakfast, Manon and Kathleen said so long until next time to our ecotour group. Don sent us a lovely photo of the kitty that Maggie, Tony, and David were taking to Colorado for adoption … we know from this photo that Trixie (the kitty, not the young dolphin at RIMS!) has found her forever home with them! See Trixie the feline cuddling with Tony in the airport waiting room below.
Our de-sense training with Rocky and Tank is progressing well. Both Manon and I spent time with these two young males, and they are spending more time not interacting with our fins (They’d gotten a bit bitey!). Then, because there was no early morning swim, we got an extra 20 min of data collection in the main lagoon. Kathleen decided to move directly from the shallow pool to the main lagoon – and she walked carefully backward in her fins! (See photo below and the video Kel will post to our social media soon!)
After VERY early mornings and two flights, St. Mary’s University’s student group arrived in time for lunch! Hurray!
After lunch everyone got unpacked and then we went to Bailey’s Key to meet the dolphins and check out the area there. Then we had our orientation in the classroom followed by 30 min free time and then dinner. It was a good day, if a bit exhausting with travel! We look forward to the early morning start tomorrow (5:55 AM!!)
Below are our impressions of our first day at Anthony’s Key Resort (AKR).
Maddie – I loved seeing the people throughout the city as we took the shuttle ride to AKR and I really liked learning about how AKR was founded.
Taylor – I loved being in the environment of Roatan and found it interesting learning about the anterior and posterior dorsal fin of dolphins.
Annabelle – I did not realize how big the dolphins were – the adult is about the length of a person lying down.
Jonas – I got to play mini-pool. And I also learned that the dolphin blowhole is like our nose.
Robert – I found it really cool seeing the dolphins in person, in action, rather than in a panoramic photo that I helped code.
Kelly – I liked learning about the different things the dolphins do with the trainers. And I liked seeing them jump out of the water!
TJ – I really liked getting to know my group members better and I’m excited to see more of Roatan.
Mario – I missed the food. I missed the dolphins. I’m ready to conduct more research and it’s great to be back.
Abby – I’m just happy to see the dolphins in real life, off of a screen.
Megan – I am happy to be back and excited to meet the newest members of the pod.
Heather – I am ready to see this next group of students grow and experience all the wonder adventures Roatan has to offer.
Manon – Welcome (back) St. Mary’s University students!
The rest of our group (Nate, Jose, Dallas, Bella, Jove, Brielle, Melissa) will be here tomorrow.
Cheers
DCP’s May 2026 Ecotour and the St. Mary’s University Groups!