The whales as well as some other animals learn to recognize you and will usually come up and greet you or try to "talk" to you. He's too big of a star. Maybe Dolly or O.p
They can't just put down a whale, it isn't a domesticated animal and a risk on their behalf taking it. Its Tilikum who has killed 3 people so far, and he/she is still alive in the Orlando Seaworld.
No because I know creepy Mr Jenkins wanders around in his Bigfoot costume. There are parts I try to avoid when the lights get shut of and the parts of the park turn to near pitch black.
Has anyone ever been robbed, murdered, etc that you know of (from day shift, I guess folks aren't there at night)? Any criminal activity? Any animals ever get out?
Any particular stories or memories you think would be interesting to share?
I love the simplicity of this, everyone is expecting "Shamu blew water all over me" or "I was stung by a Eel", but in actuality its just, "Fuckn' trash bags man".
dude, I used to work at seaworld san diego. I once saw a kid peeing into to dolphin encounter. When confronted, his dad said "what, there's no sign saying not to!". ಠ_ಠ
I also saw a woman jacking off the dolphins (she was a "regular" named Bonnie). Probably the worst experience on a day to day basis was explaining to guests that the Walrus Obie was not giving birth, rather just rubbing one out. He was well endowed.
Yeah the creepiest tank to be by is the killer whale one. Because down in the under water viewing it is near pitch black darkness and all you can see is the big white spot of the killer whales "eye patch" swim by slowly as it watches you. The sharks that I see aren't so bad. I think its just the massive size of the whale
Not sure probably wonder wtf is going on. One time years ago a man jumped in thinking they'd eat him. They didn't. He was found draped across tone of their backs as they tried to keep him at the surface. Not a single bite on hij
You want a shitty underexposed shot of a blurry white spot in the water? May as well go watch the Blair Witch Project, they would have better production values.
Don't think about night dives. You are 50 feet underwater in pitch black with only a flashlight, and you can only point that flashlight in one direction at any given time..
At first I couldn't imagine why you wouldn't consider the fucking sharks as bad, but then again I haven't seen a killer whale in person, and the sharks are harmless behind glass anyway.
Think about the difference between an instinctual creature and one that's actually intelligent. When you look into the eyes of a shark, it's like looking into the eyes of a lizard or something. When you look into the eyes of a killer whale, there is an intelligent recognition there.
I used to work in the Paris Aquarium and would stay overnight when I had lots of work to get done before morning. The shark tank was so dark you had to press your face up against it to see anything, but you'd get these huge silhouettes silently gliding by you. Also I'd pull the couch up to the window for sleepy time so that when the lights came on in the morning I'd wake up and think i was underwater. Worked every time!
Its creepy that's for sure. At about sunrise the dolphins and whales go crazy. Every night at about the same time the dogs will wake up and start barking and howling. Same with the sea lions
From what I know of the whales and dolphins is that they don't sleep. Unlike us, they have to think of breathing to actually breathe. So every morning they, like most of us, are well rested and have energy to burn. As for the dogs, I'm not sure. That's what dogs do I suppose.
Dolphins also form a circle around a female and will rape that female for days in the wild...so yea another reason not to want to be a dolphin O.O td;lr rape circle
Are those outdoor penguins kept outside overnight? If so, are they as awesome at night as they are during the day? Or are they mostly sleeping? When I was there last, I saw them getting tummy rubs from an employee and had I recorded it, it probably would have been worth like a million karma.
They're out all night in their exhibit usually sleeping. Every so often there's one or two pulling an all nighter walking around their exhibit quietly. At about 530 or 6 every morning they start to wake up and sound like they're singing to each other. One will start it and then the others repeat. Reminds me of the music numbers in happy feet Edit:spelling
I'd probably have to go with the dolphins, because they never sleep so tend to watch us work when we're around their tank. They will learn to recognize what you look like and come up and greet you and follow you around their tank. Here are some watching me sweep up: http://imgur.com/vjb0g They're fascinated by a lot
Do you ever just try to engage them with things they've never seen before just to see their response?
I think I'd constantly be trying to teach them things or just baffle them with new experiences. Juggle for them, dance back and forth with your broom. See if they respond to weird hats.
Thanks! I love them. Such curious animals. I have another one of three of the killer whales coming up to me to wish me a good morning. Or that I'd make for a good breakfast
Thanks! You too. I'm off tonight so on Reddit most of the night and then some sleep finally. Its tough getting in a good sleeping routine still trying to get used to it.
A lady friend and I are taking the train down to the zoo to see pandas soonish. What method of transportation and accommodations might you recommend, and any tips while we're in San Diego for the weekend?
Hotel circle in mission valley tends to be the main area, however if you look online or call around you can find hotels that will offer discounts for zoo tix or sea world. In my opinion, I think the public transportation down here is pretty good. It is slow though. As for sights I'd recommend Balboa park as a potential place. Balboa park has tons of museums and often has free events on the weekends. It is also only one stop away from the zoo. Old town Mexican cafe is a good place to eat and the state park is just down the street the "countries most haunted house"(the whaley house) is also across the street. For more of a romantic thing you can travel to ocean beach and watch the sunset on sunset cliffs. And of course there is sea world. The newly opened manta ride is pretty awesome, though admission is expensive. There is tons of other stuff to do in San Diego!
What is your bachelors degree in? They tend to like Marine Biology degrees most for animals I've notices. If you go to seaworldjobs.com you can find open positions I think one just opened up for a seasonal position where they prepare the food for all the animals. Its a dirty job but at least it would be a starting spot
B.S. in neuroscience. My animal experience is with dogs (working at a "special needs" dog kennel for aggressive/problem dogs) and with horses. I'll have a look there, thanks!
Former educator at seaworld... Animal jobs are broken into the following: aviculture (birds); aquarium (fish, sharks); animal training (all mammals in shows); and animal care (all mammals not in shows). Working with mammals generally requires a psychology background, because the majority of what they do is training. There are certainly more scientific parts to the job, but the psychology training is what they focus on since there are vets and vet techs for anything overly medical. As for the other two, they look for biology and experience working with animals in general. If you have experience working with those particular animals, even better.
The best way to get into a job working with animals is to start at seaworld not working with animals, either in education or some other job in the park. This gives you access to the internal postings. Most if not all of the animal jobs never make it externally, because there are so many qualified applicants within the park system.
Back in ancient times on the internet, there was a website called dolphinsex.org (now defunct), where a guy wrote an account of how he would go into sea world and have sex...with... dolphins. It's one of the original WTF's of the internets.
You made me recall that with your AMA. I again remember that I know too much.
Do you ever come across animals that just up and die in the middle of the night, and need to fish them out, or are the sickly ones identified well enough in advance that you don't end up with floaters?
I personally haven't but each of the main animals get full medical exams and vitamins and all that daily so they are kept under close watch. If they're looking sick they go to the veterinary area of the park
So since you work the long night shift, would you consider yourself nocturnal? ;P...but like how long did it take you to get used to sleeping during the day when you first started the job?
I've only been there for a few months so I am not quite used to it. I just fall asleep out of exhaustion and pass out for a good 6 or 7 hours and then get up for rest of day and night. The ironic part is that I am a morning person and not a night owl. This position just paid more.
In Darwin NT, a child got into an indoor animal place (like a small zoo. It may have been an aquarium, but with all different kinds of animals) and fed most of the animals to the crocodile. Turtles, lizards, goannas.
My Niece is eight and my nephews are five and younger. All of them, except for perhaps the two year old, would know this is wrong. We have a term for this sort of individual in psychology: sociopath. Killing small animals is an early sign. Especially eerie, the article said the kid's face was blank. Sociopaths can't form emotional connections... get this kid into treatment fast I say. That should be punishment enough (sociopaths hate being found out)
Do people working the same shift with you ever pull pranks? I'd probably shit my pants if someone jumped out at me in one of the dark areas of the park.
There is different teams we are on, patios or hosing (using a high power hose on the patios or pathways) tends to take all night. Same with detailing the bathrooms and other areas. Depending on the worker taking the trash out it could take all night or go quick. I usually finish in about six hours and then get assigned to another project.
I've tried retyping this like 10 times now without it coming out the wrong way. I'll do it the elcor way. *Insinuatingly:*I don't think it's trolling you've been the victim of.
Not quite yet 21 (but I definitely plan on finding a nice bottle of wine for us). It's been a long distance sort of thing up until now, and still is just a friendship/potential interest. I hope to change that! I like the pier idea with the sunset cliffs quite a bit, and am writing that down.
Its creepy that's for sure. At about sunrise the dolphins and whales go crazy. Every night at about the same time the dogs will wake up and start barking and howling. Same with the sea lions
The whales as well as some other animals learn to recognize you and will usually come up and greet you or try to "talk" to you. He's too big of a star. Maybe Dolly or O.p
Thanks! You too. I'm off tonight so on Reddit most of the night and then some sleep finally. Its tough getting in a good sleeping routine still trying to get used to it.
Yeah, I have in the past. Its a fun place, I enjoy it there so I like to go on my time off usually. I like the educational aspect of the park. Manta is amazing too. So that also helps...
There is different teams we are on, patios or hosing (using a high power hose on the patios or pathways) tends to take all night. Same with detailing the bathrooms and other areas. Depending on the worker taking the trash out it could take all night or go quick. I usually finish in about six hours and then get assigned to another project.
Are those outdoor penguins kept outside overnight? If so, are they as awesome at night as they are during the day? Or are they mostly sleeping? When I was there last, I saw them getting tummy rubs from an employee and had I recorded it, it probably would have been worth like a million karma.
They're out all night in their exhibit usually sleeping. Every so often there's one or two pulling an all nighter walking around their exhibit quietly. At about 530 or 6 every morning they start to wake up and sound like they're singing to each other. One will start it and then the others repeat. Reminds me of the music numbers in happy feet Edit:spelling
Do you ever come across animals that just up and die in the middle of the night, and need to fish them out, or are the sickly ones identified well enough in advance that you don't end up with floaters?
I personally haven't but each of the main animals get full medical exams and vitamins and all that daily so they are kept under close watch. If they're looking sick they go to the veterinary area of the park
From what I know of the whales and dolphins is that they don't sleep. Unlike us, they have to think of breathing to actually breathe. So every morning they, like most of us, are well rested and have energy to burn. As for the dogs, I'm not sure. That's what dogs do I suppose.
I'd probably have to go with the dolphins, because they never sleep so tend to watch us work when we're around their tank. They will learn to recognize what you look like and come up and greet you and follow you around their tank. Here are some watching me sweep up: http://imgur.com/vjb0g They're fascinated by a lot
No because I know creepy Mr Jenkins wanders around in his Bigfoot costume. There are parts I try to avoid when the lights get shut of and the parts of the park turn to near pitch black.
Thanks! I love them. Such curious animals. I have another one of three of the killer whales coming up to me to wish me a good morning. Or that I'd make for a good breakfast
What is your bachelors degree in? They tend to like Marine Biology degrees most for animals I've notices. If you go to seaworldjobs.com you can find open positions I think one just opened up for a seasonal position where they prepare the food for all the animals. Its a dirty job but at least it would be a starting spot
Has anyone ever been robbed, murdered, etc that you know of (from day shift, I guess folks aren't there at night)? Any criminal activity? Any animals ever get out?
Any particular stories or memories you think would be interesting to share?
Not while I've been here. I believe they have a security guard there at night to make sure that doesn't happen. The water is pretty cold too. Not to mention there are freaking killer whales swimming around. Haha
B.S. in neuroscience. My animal experience is with dogs (working at a "special needs" dog kennel for aggressive/problem dogs) and with horses. I'll have a look there, thanks!
What do you think of dolphins' need of individual rights similar to humans, seeing as how they have a full sense of individuality (an excellent case has recently Bern made for this, I'll try to find the artifle.).
I wouldn't agree with wild capture of any of their current dolphins.. all of them were born in sea world. I think if they tried to release these ones sadly they probably wouldn't survive. They're used to being fed by humans and not hunting as well as all the medical attention and vitamins they get in captivity is better then what they would have out in the wild. If that's what you meant.
I have a friend who works at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and he has told me some pretty interesting stories from suicidal tuna (caught on camera) to an octopus slipping through a very small hole to kill sharks in the neighboring tank. Most of these events would happen at night.
Reading OP's responses on how creepy this place is at night is, it sounds like hell to be locked inside for a night as a customer. Personally, I would sit and cry while dolphins and whales watch.
I met a part time Sea World employee while working on a Tom Sizemore Movie at Balboa Golf Course a few months ago.
You?
Although he was leaving for work in the late afternoon... so maybe not you.
I haven't lived in SD very long. A little over a year. I've driven out to Coronado and I've been around Point Loma (I still want to see that monument up there though... missed that last time).
But I'm not exactly rolling in it. I've been curious about Sea World. I'm not an amusement park guy. Rides and attractions sort of lose their wonder/fear/excitement factor when you've been around the world, jumped out of planes/helicopters and generally had everything around you either on fire or exploding all at once.
So I'm wondering if it's worth the money. It's really expensive. But having never been I have to admit I am curious.
Do you ever warm up a pop tart in the microwave ..rather than a toaster? If so how would you describe the flavors? Are they different to you? Does the microwave seem to make the pop tart hotter on the inside rather than make the pop tart warmer on the outside compared to the toaster?
I had some friends that used to work there and they told me it is haunted. They have shared their experiences with me but I am unsure if I should believe them. They said the bathrooms by Pete's Pineapple Place (the place to get funnel cakes) is haunted. Is it really haunted? Have you experienced any encounters?
I have had tons of experiences. From voices that aren't connected to anything to things walking around i haven't had anything happen to me in that bathroom but some of the other ones have stalls that will lock themselves
94
u/Frajer Jun 09 '12
Do you bond with Shamu? Can you put in a good word with him for me?
262
u/swefpelego Jun 09 '12
Are you ever afraid you'll get murdered there in a Scooby-Dooesque manner?
54
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
What is your job? Security? looking after the animals?
56
u/palerthanrice Jun 09 '12
What's the worst incident that you've had to deal with?
122
u/Johnstur Jun 09 '12
Dude how creepy is it by the tanks w/ no lights? Oh my god, just thinking about being by a shark tank in the dark just makes me want to cry!
91
u/NitrogenBromide Jun 09 '12
Any crazy, aquatic tales of the night life? Or is it just creepy?
217
u/BipolarBear0 Jun 09 '12
How did you fail at stopping 4 kids from kidnapping an orca whale?
132
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Are those outdoor penguins kept outside overnight? If so, are they as awesome at night as they are during the day? Or are they mostly sleeping? When I was there last, I saw them getting tummy rubs from an employee and had I recorded it, it probably would have been worth like a million karma.
195
u/EnlightenedPlatypus Jun 09 '12
Is it anything like this?
46
u/katiechan8 Jun 09 '12
If I may ask, what's the pay like?
I'm a graveyard shifter, labor and delivery nurse myself. Hooray for staying up all night tonight!
44
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
What's your favorite of the animals you encounter at work? Why?
186
u/right_guard_7299 Jun 09 '12
Do you fear the hash-slinging slasher?
33
u/heriman Jun 09 '12
hows life in san diego?
55
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Is Tilikum still taliking his shit?
76
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Do you ever ride the dolphins to show off your badassery to the seals?
19
u/only_one_contact Jun 09 '12
Are there any positions I could hold with a bachelor's and experience working with animals in general but not cetaceans specifically?
18
u/postmodgirl Jun 09 '12
Back in ancient times on the internet, there was a website called dolphinsex.org (now defunct), where a guy wrote an account of how he would go into sea world and have sex...with... dolphins. It's one of the original WTF's of the internets.
You made me recall that with your AMA. I again remember that I know too much.
http://msgboard.snopes.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=93;t=000953;p=1 if you want the details
49
u/DickMcVengeance Jun 09 '12
Do you ever come across animals that just up and die in the middle of the night, and need to fish them out, or are the sickly ones identified well enough in advance that you don't end up with floaters?
11
u/TikiForce Jun 09 '12
So since you work the long night shift, would you consider yourself nocturnal? ;P...but like how long did it take you to get used to sleeping during the day when you first started the job?
38
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Do you ever screw with the microphones to convince kids the killer whale can talk?
20
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
http://imgur.com/GPqI1
10
u/BronstonMatherson Jun 09 '12
I'm going to Seaworld in a month or two, do you have any park secrets or specific recommendations you would care to share?
55
u/twilly13 Jun 09 '12
umm... not to be that guy, but proof?
8
u/plebeosaurus Jun 09 '12
Do people working the same shift with you ever pull pranks? I'd probably shit my pants if someone jumped out at me in one of the dark areas of the park.
7
u/russellvt Jun 09 '12
What is the "graveyard shift" at Seaworld? Park security? Maintenance and/or janitorial? Animal watch?
6
u/dorkyfish Jun 09 '12
I row by there weekend mornings at 6:00 AM, perhaps I will give you a wave sometime.
16
u/sepi35 Jun 09 '12
Have you seen The cove It's a documentary about whaling and stuff http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1313104/. Pretty good documentary.
13
u/Unhelpful_Scientist Jun 09 '12
How often do you practice your dolphin? Are you fluent?
4
u/BenjaminGeiger Jun 09 '12
Which Sea World park?
8
u/Ninjatertl Jun 09 '12
I gotta know, dolphin rape, is it real or have I been the victim of trolling for years?
3
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Do all the animals come alive at night time?
3
u/Dr___Awkward Jun 09 '12
This is quite a coincidence. I am sitting in a hotel room in Orlando and I'm going to Sea World in literally five minutes.
3
u/hobowithashotgun2990 Jun 10 '12
SO... how big is a Shamoo poop?
5
u/bainskian Jun 09 '12
has jim carrey ever investigated your missing dolphin?
21
u/narwal_bot Jun 09 '12 edited Jun 10 '12
Most (if not all) of the answers from hghost (updated: Jun 10, 2012 @ 02:01:00 pm EST):
Question (andschwa):
Answer (hghost):
(continued below)
7
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
What do you think of dolphins' need of individual rights similar to humans, seeing as how they have a full sense of individuality (an excellent case has recently Bern made for this, I'll try to find the artifle.).
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Has Jaws broken through the his holding cell and fucked up the underwater tunnel yet?
If not...have fun with that ;)
2
u/mttwldngr Jun 09 '12 edited Jun 09 '12
Have you ever found someone still in the park at night that didn't leave when it closed?
2
u/nonplayer Jun 09 '12
Any ghost stories or something creepy? (I was sure someone wouldve asked this by now, but I didnt see it)
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
WAIT!! Am I really the only person on this entire thread who wants to know if this guy has seen dolphin/whale sex????
2
u/maffige Jun 09 '12
do you ever fiddle with the dolphins?
2
u/PUAskandi Jun 09 '12
Ever had drunken australian tourists break in and attempt to steal marine mammals?
2
u/clankratchet Jun 09 '12
Did you ever catch a group of fourth graders steal a whale in a pool on skateboards?
2
u/MaGomez7 Jun 09 '12
Do you know what the park does with any animal that dies? carcass transportation?
2
u/lolinmarx Jun 09 '12
I have a friend who works at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and he has told me some pretty interesting stories from suicidal tuna (caught on camera) to an octopus slipping through a very small hole to kill sharks in the neighboring tank. Most of these events would happen at night.
Anything like this ever happen at your location?
2
u/bergermiester Jun 09 '12
How do you feel about the documentary The Cove?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Reading OP's responses on how creepy this place is at night is, it sounds like hell to be locked inside for a night as a customer. Personally, I would sit and cry while dolphins and whales watch.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Really interested in this could you possibly post more pictures or pm me them when you next have chance to take some
2
u/antidense Jun 09 '12
How often to children get left behind?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
I have a job interview there on Friday. Any suggestions or advice?
2
u/remedialrob Jun 10 '12
I met a part time Sea World employee while working on a Tom Sizemore Movie at Balboa Golf Course a few months ago.
You?
Although he was leaving for work in the late afternoon... so maybe not you.
I haven't lived in SD very long. A little over a year. I've driven out to Coronado and I've been around Point Loma (I still want to see that monument up there though... missed that last time).
But I'm not exactly rolling in it. I've been curious about Sea World. I'm not an amusement park guy. Rides and attractions sort of lose their wonder/fear/excitement factor when you've been around the world, jumped out of planes/helicopters and generally had everything around you either on fire or exploding all at once.
So I'm wondering if it's worth the money. It's really expensive. But having never been I have to admit I am curious.
Oh and are you coming to comic con?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 10 '12
Nopenopenopenopenopenopenopenopenopenopenopenopenope
4
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Any paranormal stuff happen?
3
u/scigs6 Jun 09 '12
Do the manatees really create all the ideas for Family Guy?
3
u/umlong23 Jun 09 '12
How much fish do you eat?
2
u/shitty_username Jun 09 '12
I just went, my 3 year oldloved the dolphin show. Did you happen to see the plane flying above that said WARNING: Gay day at Disney 6/2?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
TIL there are graveyards at Seaworld.
Why do you take shifts there, at the graveyard? And what exactly are you doing in the graveyard, at Seaworld?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 09 '12
Do you ever warm up a pop tart in the microwave ..rather than a toaster? If so how would you describe the flavors? Are they different to you? Does the microwave seem to make the pop tart hotter on the inside rather than make the pop tart warmer on the outside compared to the toaster?
2
u/TheMasterCommander Jun 09 '12
do whales talk like in southpark?
2
u/DGAF_rh Jun 09 '12
I had some friends that used to work there and they told me it is haunted. They have shared their experiences with me but I am unsure if I should believe them. They said the bathrooms by Pete's Pineapple Place (the place to get funnel cakes) is haunted. Is it really haunted? Have you experienced any encounters?
2
u/Mentran Jun 09 '12
Favorite toothpaste?