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About the unique Dolphin Discovery Assistant Program (DDAP)
This is
very unique program where you have the chance to meet real live
dolphins in their natural environment. The Bunbury Dolphin
Discovery Centre is located in Bunbury, Western Australia and is
offering you the opportunity to learn about dolphins and the
environment whilst contributing to their long term conservation.
The Centre runs both tourism and research programs that you are
able to participate and assist with during your stay.
The DDAP
comprises of two main activities over the 4 and 8 day programs
and both require you to assist with general duties undertaken by
the Centre's trained volunteers. The first is on the beach and
the second is on the Centre's famous "Swim on the Wild Side"
boat tour. During both of these activities you will be involved
in talking to tourists, sorting out data, general cleaning and
more other activities. The longer you are there, the more you
will learn and contribute.
DDAP is
managed by the Marine Biologist who is a specialised with
dolphins and assisted by the long-term trained volunteers. Also
BDD is working with Murdoch university PhD students specialising
marine biology. DDPA is programmed that people can experience
activities of research, conservation, tourism and education
which are the major objectives of the organisation. |
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Who is the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery (BDD)?
BDD was opened in 1994, and it the first Centre in Australia
dedicated entirely to dolphin education. The Centre is
managed by the Bunbury Dolphin Trust, a non-profit,
community based association formally established and
incorporated in 1989.
Located in Bunbury, Western Australia, its ultimate aim is
to ensure the long term welfare of the dolphins and their
environment is protected.
Recently, BDD won the prestigious Western Australia Tourism
Award as the MAJOR TOURISM ATTRACTION for 2007. This award
recognises that the Centre has excelled as a world class
tourism Centre whilst maintaining an ECOTOURISM focus
through education, conservation and research.
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You will be involved in the following BDD objectives (or activities)
Education
To provide educational opportunities for the general public and schools. To develop an understanding of marine mammals and their environment, through interaction with the dolphins of Koombana Bay
Conservation
To support and contribute to the conservation of marine mammals and their environment.
Research
To encourage, support and conduct research into the well being of all dolphins and their environment. To endeavour to accumulate knowledge for better marine management and conservation.
Tourism
To provide residents, visitors and tourists with a fascinating learning experience centred upon marine mammals and their environment.
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Research
The BDD research program has grown in recent years by
developing a partnership with Murdoch University. As a
result, the Murdoch University Cetacean Research Unit (MUCRU)
has been developed with three overall aims in mind:
To provide information which is of significance to our
understanding of the ecology of dolphins and to their future
conservation and management,
To develop recommendations pertaining to human disturbance
on the dolphin population so that impacts are minimised
which will help ensure the sustainability of the dolphin
watching experience in Bunbury, and
To build the BDD and MUCRU into a nationally and
internationally recognised dolphin research centre that
excels in scientifically rigorous marine research.
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Partnership with Murdoch University
The most significant development in our research program is our partnership with Murdoch University . We will soon put together more website pages detailing this partnership. In the meantime check out the program's website at:
http://www.cffr.murdoch.edu.au/mucru/
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