Sergey Bizyuk says weather conditions in Armenia better for dolphins than the Ukrainian ones

YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS: The first Dolphinarium started functioning in Armenia from December 24. Nature protection organizations raised a great noise connected with the opening, nevertheless the Dolphinarium is operating for several weeks and quite successfully. What novelties are expected and how do dolphins feel? These are questions Armenpress asked to the employee of the Dolphinarium, trainer of dolphins Sergey Bizyuk.

- How long are you training dolphins?

- Before this I was working in Ukraine, afterwards I’ve got invitation to work in Armenia where I will mark the 10th anniversary of working with dolphins.

- How do you feel in Yerevan? Have the dolphins and sea bears adjusted to weather conditions?

- I am very pleased. Yerevan has mild weather and I like the town. The dolphins too do not complain and have adjusted to weather conditions and the pool. Here the conditions for dolphins are even better as compared with the Ukraine taking into consideration the mild weather in Yerevan.

- I would ask to present more thoroughly “the main guests of Yerevan” – the dolphins.

- They are four – two boys and two girls. The boys are named Vachik and Hrachik and the girls Masha and Dasha. By the way, I will open a secret connected with the names of the boys – they are named in the honor of two stumpy constructors that worked on the construction of Dolphinarium. Three of the dolphins are four years old and one is five years old. In close conditions these dolphins live longer than in freedom as they need corresponding care and conditions. In such conditions they may live till 35-45 years old and in nature they never reach 30 years old.

- Who takes care of dolphins?

- The trainers, me and Yekaterina Starostina who is mainly working with sea bears. But when we notice that any of the dolphins start behaving strange and health issues come forth we contact with our veterinarian in Ukraine and in case of necessity he will immediately arrive in Yerevan.

- What do dolphins eat? How do you get food for them?

- The most important thing is to give sea or any other kind of fish. We get them here in Armenia. Each dolphin eats 10-15 kg fish daily.

- What novelties are expected in Dolphinarium? Will new things appear in the program?

- The main performances take place with the participation of trainers and animals. Often circus groups are being invited. Since the opening individual swimming with dolphins service is operating. The process is being followed by us. We help the visitors to understand what approach should be displayed toward dolphins, how to take photos with them. The only novelty is the dolphin therapy expected in February.

- Do many people want to swim with dolphins? And in general are there many visitors?

- Armenians are very actively visiting the Dolphinarium. The biggest number of visitors was registered on the opening day. We have three performances a day and more than hundred people come to watch. The number of those who want to swim with dolphins is 2-3 daily.