Marineland, Member Of The Dolphin Company Family Celebrates 83 Years Of Experience

Marineland, one of the multi-experience parks of The Dolphin Company, celebrates 83 years of history. It is the World’s First Oceanarium, and since its opening in 1938 it has presented millions of visitors the wonders of life in the depths of the ocean.

Marineland opened as Marine Studios, an underwater film studio and research center that was acquired in 2019 by The Dolphin Company, becoming the third attraction in the United States.

Marineland’s milestones include the first innovative discoveries of human and dolphin interactions, and critical scientific discoveries including echolocation and signature whistles. Some of Marineland‘s most important historical achievements are:

• 1947: Spray, the first dolphin calf born in human care.
• 1949: Adolf Frohn is hired to determine if the long-held belief that dolphins cannot learn from humans is true. His success opened the door for Marineland’s famous dolphin presentations in the 1950.
• 1950: Flippy was introduced to the media, and then the world, as the first dolphin that learned to perform certain behaviors.
• 1950 – 1960: Marine Studios becomes Marineland of Florida, one of the leading public attractions of the state, with up to 500,000 visitors per year.
• 1953: Nellie, a Common Bottlenose Dolphin, was born at Marineland and lived to be 61 years old, holding the record to this day as the oldest dolphin in human care. Nellie awed and inspired many thousands of guests throughout her life and her legacy continues with her son and grandsons today.

“We are proud that Marineland is part of The Dolphin Company family. Its commitment to marine species and well-being, providing world-class care to those in their care and in the wild, is top-notch. As promoters of animal preservation, we could not be happier to be part of the history of Marineland, the birthplace of dolphin teaching and where the love for marine life was born for many”, said Travis Burke, Executive Director North America of The Dolphin Company.

Currently, Marineland is home to 14 dolphins and offers educational interactions for the whole family. Its history is so remarkable that it already has an exhibition at the The Oldest House museum in the center of St. Augustine, Florida, where the community can attend to know about its beginnings, facilities, and the specimens that live in their care.

Marineland has achieved accreditations from important international certifications from institutions such as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). In addition, it is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of St. Johns, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Visit Florida and the Florida Attractions Association.