GRANVISTA PRESS

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With the orca, for the orca
A busy day for the trainer!

 An orca trainer spends most of their day at the pool. They begin their morning by checking the orca’s temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate, and then prepare for the show. Increasing the motivation of the orca is also an important job of the trainer.

 “Many people don’t know this, but the program of the show is different each time. In my case, I observe the compatibility between Lavi and the other trainer-orca pair, change the instructions every time, and try to be creative so that Lavi does not get tired of the same routine. The best tip for creating a good relationship with the orca is to enjoy what the orcas can enjoy.”

 Between shows, the trainers prepare meals for the orcas. The main meal is mackerel. The fish have been freshly caught so it’s important to carefully check that all fishhooks have been properly removed. After the feeding is done, the trainers round off their day by cleaning the pool and the audience seats.