US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association

JUNE UPDATE

SUMMER SCHEDULE

OPEN 5 DAYS A WEEK
9:00PM- 4:00PM

(ticket booth closes at 3pm)

CLOSED
THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS

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Join us for our
MACAW TALK
every day at 10:40am

EXCITING DOLPHIN NEWS!
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WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
NOLA & CAVELLO!

We are SUPER excited to welcome two Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to our Coral World family. Nola and Cavello were born in human care and arrived from Bermuda safe and sound.
On May 4, 2021, Coral World Ocean Park welcomed two coastal Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to their new home in Coral World’s St. Thomas Sea Sanctuary in Water Bay. The dolphins, Cavello and Nola, join the four current residents, Liko, Noelani, Sonny and Ping who have resided at Coral World since February 20, 2019.

Cavello and Nola belong to the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo.  They were born in human care in Bermuda in an ocean environment and have experience with interactive programs.  Coral World’s Animal Welfare Specialists have spent months in St. Thomas and with staff in Bermuda to prepare for their transport and arrival.  General Curator Lee Kellar and Coral World’s consulting veterinarian Dr. Natalie Noll accompanied the dolphins on their flight to St. Thomas to ensure their wellbeing.   “It takes a lot of effort to organize and carry out a transport of dolphins.  I am glad to say this one went very smoothly,” reported Kellar.

Colleen Cornachione, a senior member of the Animal Welfare team, spent time in Bermuda building a relationship with each of them so they would have a familiar face upon arrival. Cornachione noted, “It was wonderful to get to know Cavello and Nola in Bermuda.  They have such sweet personalities and love to learn. One of their favorite things to do is swim with their Animal Welfare Specialists.   Our staff at Coral World spent a lot of time learning as much as possible about them before their arrival.  They are excited to join them for a swim in their new home!”

According to Coral World’s Assistant Curator of Marine Mammals and Birds Kristine Tartaglio, the Animal Welfare Specialists are excited to get to know Cavello and Nola better.  She observed, “We are really looking forward to the new dynamic that Nola and Cavello will bring to our current social group.  Since they have lived all their lives in an ocean environment, I expect them to encourage our four original dolphins to use more of their habitat and benefit from all the stimulation it offers.” Liko, Noelani, Sonny, and Ping had little to no exposure to a natural marine habitat before coming to Coral World.  As a result, it took some time for each of them to adjust to living among fish, invertebrates, corals, and seagrass.  Even after two years, some are bolder explorers than others.

Cavello and Nola will spend time in the sanctuary’s specialty areas while they adjust to their new home, but we hope their adjustment will be relatively quick given their experience with a natural marine habitat.  Over the next few weeks, Coral World Animal Welfare Specialists will gradually introduce them to their new social group while closely monitoring their transition.  As with the original sanctuary residents, Coral World’s team of Animal Welfare Specialists will work on building strong relationships with Cavello and Nola before they are introduced to Coral World visitors.

Coral World has always taken great pride in our rigorous Animal Welfare Specialists’ staff training program and how hard we all work to continue learning and refining the skills necessary to give our animals the very best care. As a result of dedication and many years of program development, Coral World is excited to announce that our Animal Trainer Development Program has recently been accredited by the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA). Coral World is also accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums since 2015. AMMPA is the first and largest organization dedicated to the welfare of marine mammals in human care.
World ENVIRONMENT Day is on June 5th this year. Join the #generationrestoration and make a difference!   https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/
SLEEPOVERS ARE BACK!

DREAM WITH THE FISHES

Make your next sleep over a party to remember here at Coral World. Enjoy the exhibits at night, play games and be transported into an undersea world in the Caribbean Reef Encounter, an air conditioned exhibit that sleeps up to 20 people. As an added bonus, our sleepover packages include a free pass for each child to return to Coral World at a later date!

Call or Email for more information.
340-777-1555 ext. 246
marketing@coralworldvi.com

MORE INFO
Did you know that oceans cover 70% of our planet and provide 50% of the oxygen we breathe. Our oceans provide protein to ONE BILLION people around the world. Shouldn’t we protect what gives us so much? Learn more about ocean literacy on our website. https://coralworldvi.com/ocean-literacy/
PARK AND SNORKEL PACKAGE!
Come to Coral World for an introduction to the marine life that inhabits our Caribbean Reefs.  Then grab your snorkel gear from Coki Bach Dive Club for some firsthand discovery of this amazing underwater world.
Package includes unlimited access to Coral World Ocean Park and snorkel gear from Coki Beach for the day.
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Help us celebrate Sonny’s 21st BIRTHDAY on June 11!
CORAL EDUCATION CORNER
 STUDENTS INSPIRING STUDENTS
TWO YEARS in the making! Ms. Ravalier’s awesome students from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School received their scuba certifications from https://cokidive.com/ with the help of Howard Forbes and Jarvon Stout through the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory service (UVI). They are now diving in our local waters, assisting Logan Williams, our in-house coral expert, with research on coral diseases and the impact it has on our local waters. Click the link to watch the 360 degree underwater video that served as part of a virtual lesson for their peers – students inspiring students – it doesn’t get much better than this!  https://www.facebook.com/505952015/videos/10157650196947016/

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone involved! Great Work!

We love seeing all of the visitors finally coming back to the islands.   However, with more folks in the water, we need to remind everyone that sea turtles are designated as either threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973.  Please do not harass or touch them when you see them in the wild.
Please report any entrapped, disoriented, sick, injured, or dead sea turtle by calling the rescue hotline at (340) 725-1556.
Coral World is the only approved Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility in the Virgin Islands and has been conducting and funding turtle rehabilitation since it reopened in 1997 as part of its mission to educate and inspire appreciation for the Caribbean marine environment.
Celebrate Father’s Day with us
Sunday, June 20, 2021
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FEATURED ACTIVITY
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DOLPHIN TREK!

SEATREK + DOLPHINS = DOLPHIN TREK

Stroll along the ocean floor in our newly opened in-ocean dolphin sea sanctuary using Sea TREK helmet diving technology. You will observe dolphins in their natural environment from under the water instead of at the surface. Experience the thrill of watching these magnificent animals as they explore their habitat which is naturally full of fish and other sea creatures. Some dolphins will show their curiosity by swimming up close while others may show off their personalities at a distance.
Every experience is unique, unscripted and unforgettable.

*** NEW ***
WE CAN NOW ACCOMMODATE UP TO SIX GUESTS AT ONE TIME!

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COVID 19 Safety and Guidelines
At Coral World Ocean Park, our animals, team members, and guests are our top priorities. We are committed to providing a safe environment for the community.

As we continue to welcome visitors back, we are closely monitoring news and information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition to maintaining the highest health and safety practices, we have increased sanitation and disinfecting routines with extra focus on high touch and high traffic areas.  We benefit from large open-air spaces and have adjusted our operation to allow for proper social distancing (6ft apart).  We will continue to implement preventive measures in line with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control.  We are adjusting our operations according to the recommendations of health authorities as the situation develops.

WHAT CORAL WORLD IS DOING TO KEEP YOU SAFE

• General Admission and Activities capacity are limited to provide for physical distancing.
• Where minors are permitted to participate in an activity without an accompanying parent; A parent or guardian must be present to sign liability waivers.
• Reservations are encouraged to help manage capacity limits and minimize touchpoints at the entrance.
• All park staff members are required to wear face covering while working.
• All Coral World guests are required to wear masks per local government mandate. (Exempt: Children under 3 and persons with breathing difficulties)
• Hand sanitizer stations can be found at entries, exits, restrooms, and other locations in the park.
• The Park maintains its high standards of cleanliness and all high-touch surfaces like exhibit windows, railings, and restrooms are cleaned regularly.