Watch Sea Lions here - Dolphin City, Chennai, India

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After returning from the USA, I showed the pictures of the sea lion show at Mystic Aquarium in CT to my family. My daughter started nagging me to take her to the sea lion show. As I couldn’t afford to take my family to the USA, I wondered if there would be a place in India where I can find American sea lions. It was unbelievable to me when I was able to find out such a place right in the city where I live. It is at Dolphin City, located on the East Coast Road (ECR) at around 46 kms from Chennai.

Dolphin city is an amusement park. It was started in the late 1990s with the objective of entertaining the public with Dolphins. The authorities brought four dolphins in the beginning. It was a huge success as it was the first amusement park to get dolphins to India. Unfortunately, the dolphins could not adapt themselves to Chennai’s climate, and all of them died within six months. The management of the amusement park thought of an alternative plan, and they brought sea lions.

Currently, there are three sea lions in Dolphin city. The sea lion show is entertaining. It is good fun to watch sea lions throwing and catching balls, swimming, jumping out of the water and doing various other exciting activities as per the trainers' orders. Even though the performance cannot be compared to that of USA amusement parks, I would say it is pretty decent and good.

There is nothing else to watch or enjoy in Dolphin city apart from the sea lion event. After the dolphins died, the amusement park didn’t do well, and all other activities were stopped. There is a restaurant inside the park, which is not good or decent. Hence, it would be best if you plan for your food somewhere outside.

Happy travelling.

Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.


Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Comments

  1. VijaySaturday, November 07, 2009

    I've heard that the Dolphin City was closed down by animal activists when the dolphins died. I never knew they sprung back to business. I hope they realize that Sealions alone cannot bring them public on a long run. They should perhaps have some aquariums or some water rides to attract children.
    A good restaurant too will certainly be a crowd puller.

    ReplyDelete
  2. RajagopalanSaturday, November 07, 2009

    I have seen sea lions in hundreds in California - San Francisco and San Diego beaches. They are dirty and smelly. This is the first time I learn that sea lions are trained and used for shows! Good post!

    ReplyDelete

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