Trainer says dolphins, seals and sea lions are very sensitive and require tender loving care

FOR RICKY LAM KWOK-WAI, a senior marine mammal trainer at Ocean Park, taking care of dolphins and seals and playing with them are a daily routine. Over the years, he has developed a strong sense of attachment to the marine animals in his care. Let us take a look at a typical work day for Mr Lam.

8 am: Meet with other trainers and apprentices to discuss the day's schedule and brief them on all particulars. 'Even though our work follows the same routine every day, we sometimes have to adjust our schedule, for example, if one of the dolphins is sick or pregnant,' explains the 29-year-old trainer.

8.45 am: Dive to the bottom of the pools to clean up and observe the dolphins' movements. 'Dolphins are natural born swimmers and the way they swim often reflects their physical condition. It's important to always check their health,' Mr Lam says.

9 am: First meal of the day. According to the trainer, the amount of food for each dolphin, seal and sea lion is different. It is determined by animal nutritionists. A dolphin can live up to 40 years and normally reaches maturity at the age of seven. An adult dolphin can consume up to 15 kilograms of food a day.

9.30 am: Take the animals' temperature. Mr Lam and his colleagues take the temperature of every animal once a day, except when the animal is sick. There is a special team of staff responsible for maintaining water quality. The team records water temperatures every other hour.

9.30 am - 10.30 am: Play with the animals and also train them to perform. 'Dolphins are very sensitive, or even emotional, creatures. That's why we prefer not to subject them to daily drills or to cram them for shows. Otherwise they might get fed up and refuse to do anything,' he says.

10.30 am: Second meal. 'Tuna is always their favourite,' says Siu Chun-yat, Mr Lam's colleague. 'We often give them ice cubes as snacks because they love them. They also enjoy having their back scratched!'