Live from the Florida Keys, dolphins and sea lions entertain and educate during cornavirus crisis
While the Florida Keys are closed to tourists because of the threat of the novel coronavirus, the dolphins and sea lions at a local marine mammal nonprofit aquarium are still showcasing their moves for fans, educating children stuck at home and providing some mental relief for those on the front lines of the pandemic.
Seven days a week, at 1 p.m., thousands of viewers have been watching the 26 dolphins and four sea lions at the Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key via Facebook Live. They swim and play with the help and narration of the aquarium’s staff trainers.
The presentations are called, “Live from the Lagoons.”
“We knew how difficult the precautionary measures were going to be on everyone across the country. We also know how the dolphins and sea lions make us smile, and how much our fans and followers love seeing them too,” said Mary Stella, head of public relations at the research center.
The idea to air the presentations live was formed about a week before the park closed. Stella, Rita Irwin, the center’s president, and Nancy Turrene, director of membership and development, saw the Cincinnati Zoo’s video on social media of Fiona, the zoo’s “star hippo.”
Why not do the same thing with the Dolphin Research Center’s marine mammals?
“We knew it would be really easy to keep the dolphins connected with people via Facebook Live, so we tried it,” Stella said. “Our goal is to keep these organic and spontaneous, while showing a variety of ways that we connect and care for the dolphin family.”
And, the public’s reaction to the presentations since the first one aired March 17 has been pleasantly surprising, Stella said.
“The stats are incredible with a few thousand followers added to our Facebook page in fewer than two weeks,” she said. “Our engagement is up something like 91 percent.”
Between March 24 and 30, Stella said more than 915,000 people have seen the presentations and the videos have been viewed more than two million times.
“So many people tell us the Lives are bright spots in their days and that they look forward to them. We have medical care professionals who say they help them take a break from their stress,” Stella said. “Parents say we’re helping their kids with school projects. We’re bringing smiles and also staying mission-based by teaching the audience about dolphins.”
Alex Rickert, 27, a trainer at the center for five years, said he’s used to gauging an audience’s reaction to the presentations by applause and the looks on people’s faces. Now, with no tourists present, he relies on online comments, which he says are overwhelmingly positive.
“So many of our viewers tell us that this is the best part of their day. COVID-19 has taken so much from people all over the world, so I’m happy I can help, for once, to give something to them during this time,” Rickert said. “I don’t think I fully expected the love and energy our human family can convey during the live sessions just through their reactions and comments.”
So far, the the dolphin center has been able to retain its 70 employees. Stella said a small team is on site and the rest are working from home.
Jennifer Erb, 36, has been a trainer there for 16 years. That’s her official tenure. But, she’s been hanging around there her whole life. Her mother, Linda Erb, is vice president of Animal Care and Training.
“I grew up here, and our philosophy and care of our animals has created a passion for education and connection that inspires me and our guests,” she said. “During our sessions, I’ve seen our guests make connections with our dolphins that impact their lives.”
Erb said she’s relieved that through comments, she can tell similar connections are being made.
“Many of our guests have left comments while watching the live feeds, talking about dolphins they miss or are excited to see once they can come back — from all over the U.S. and overseas,” Erb said. “Bringing a little joy and fun to them and seeing the positive impact it has despite everything happening around us makes me happy. I’m very blessed to be part of it.”
The live broadcasts have also been a way for the tourist-dependent nonprofit to earn some income as Keys businesses suffer from shutdown orders aimed at stemming the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including the closing off of the Keys to tourists and the closing of hotels.
“After a couple of days, we discovered that, as a nonprofit organization, we could add a ‘Donate Now’ button to the Live video, so we did,” she said.
As of Tuesday, Stella said the center has raised more than $8,000 from people donating after watching the presentations.
“We are grateful for every dollar. If someone can’t give, that’s absolutely OK,” she said. “We want to help alleviate the stress, bring some light and dolphin fun to people, help some kids with their schoolwork, and stay connected.”
