Story Created:
Nov 14, 2006 at 11:06 AM EST
Story Updated:
Nov 14, 2006 at 11:06 AM EST
SeaWorld San Diego is breaking down the barriers between man and animal by letting you get wet and very close up. This time with their Beluga Whales.
Keith Walker took a swim with these amazing mammals.
The first thing you should know is that Beluga's live in the Arctic. So their pool at SeaWorld is pretty cold.
But like most people I couldn't wait to meet these gentle giants up close. This is what SeaWorld is now offering to it's guests. A chance to spend twenty minutes, feeding the whales, running them through their behaviors and making a connection during a once-in-a lifetime experience.
"I mean it's incredible to think you're standing here holding a whale's tail. Unbelievable."
SeaWorld says, that's the point. "We see children's lives changed, by this touching of live animal and an appreciation. When you can do this for their parents, it really brings it to the next level."
Trainers hammer home the educational component.
"She's about 14-hundred pounds. Wow."
During a quick lesson in not only the whales but their environment. "What kinds of things will you tell them before you actually let folks get in the water with them? We want the public to know that the, you know for our environment, they are skittish by nature."
In the end you get plenty wet. We'll see if she'll squirt. Splash laughs "Thanks Alluea."
And people get out of the water, with a new appreciation for these amazing animals. "They're elated. The smiles on their faces say it all. I think she likes me, Keith. I think she does.”
Doing this isn't cheap. It costs 160-dollars and you have to be at least 13-years old. But you don't have to know how to swim.
SeaWorld expects the interactions to book up quickly so they suggest people who are interested make reservations. The first guest will go into the water on Wednesday.
