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Established by two marine mammal veterinarians, one of Dolphin 

 Quest's primary goals is to provide an interactive learning 

 experience for the public, which inspires appreciation for marine 

 mammals and concern for the conservation of our marine 

 environment. Dolphin Quest has provided an opportunity for more 

 than 26,300 children to learn about dolphins through its publicly 

 available interactive education programs; more than 6,000 school 

 children with a chance to learn about the importance of 

 preserving their local marine resources through a full day 

 education field trip experience; more than 220 educators with the 

 opportunity to attend Dolphin Quest's teacher work shops; 

 and more than 62,000 adults with an opportunity to learn first 

 hand about dolphins. 



To illustrate to this Committee the impact and importance of 

 interactive learning which can be provided by public display 

 facilities, attached is a statistical summary of questionnaires 

 which were distributed to Dolphin Quest program participants 

 between December 1988 and September 1993. It is interesting to 

 note that 91.1% of the respondents state that the educational 

 value and personal impact of their experience was greater than 

 books, magazines, newspapers, television programs and nature 

 movies. Additionally, 99.2% believe that an interactive program 

 such as Dolphin Quest will inspire people to actively support 

 environmental issues. Also attached is a statistical summary of 

 questionnaires completed by teachers participating in Dolphin 

 Quest education programs. 



Public display facilities also fulfill their commitment to marine 

 conservation by participating in or funding scientific research, 

 participating in marine mammal stranding and convalescence 

 programs and other scientific community activities. Since 1989, 

 Dolphin Quest and the Hilton Waikoloa Village have generated over 

 $405,000 in vital funding for important marine education, 

 conservation and research. A large portion of these funds have 

 been used to support university level field research and 

 educational programs. Through the non-profit Waikoloa Marine 

 Life Fund, established by Dolphin Quest in 1989, individuals and 

 corporate America have the ability to contribute to scientific 

 research. In addition, biological samples obtained voluntarily 

 through behavioral husbandry training from Dolphin Quest dolphins 

 have assisted scientists in the study of dolphin immune and 

 reproductive physiology. In 1991, Dolphin Quest also purchased a 

 $10,950 computer system capable of analyzing dolphin and whale 

 vocalizations for researchers studying cetacean acoustics in 

 Hawaiian waters. This computer system is the beginning of an 

 acoustic laboratory which will function as a base of operations 

 for many cetacean acoustic studies. 



In conclusion, Dolphin Quest, as part of the modern oceanarium 

 and zoological community, takes seriously the responsibility 

 associated with the public display of marine mammals. Because 

 public display facilities provide people with a first hand 

 experience and education, the future well-being of marine mammals 

 and their environment are more certain due to an informed and 

 inspired society choosing to take part in marine conservation. 



