PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL - While businesses are shutting down throughout Bay County, Gulf World Marine Park is still going strong, perhaps because of its unusual blend of educational entertainment or mix of more than 200 animals.
   
Various animals species, from flamingos to sharks, have called the park home since it opened in 1969. Another popular attraction is the magic of Noah Wells, who does shows at the park six days a week.
   
Pam George, Gulf World’s marketing director, said the economy really has not affected the business.
   
“People who come here are usually close enough to drive,” George said. “More people are driving here now instead of going places they would usually fly to.”
   
As the summer winds down, business seems to pick up, with August typically a lot busier than July, according to customer service employee Tasha Vasiliades.
   
The park’s biggest draws continue to be interactive programs and four animal shows: California sea lions, reptiles, dolphins and exotic birds. Each show relies on a mixture of entertainment and audience interaction to educate guests. Lucky audience members at the reptile show can come on stage and have a ball python wrapped around their shoulders. At the exotic bird show, spectators can see a roller-skating parrot.
   
George said the dolphin show is the most popular. Guests sit in a large stadium, watching dolphins leap through the air and swim elegantly in their 15-foot enclosure. Dolphin lovers also can register for the Swim with a Dolphin program. Participants learn about dolphin conservation and are familiarized with the dolphin’s senses before they are put in a 1-million-gallon pool with the dolphins.
   
Participants get a dolphin kiss and a handshake. They also can hold on to the dolphin’s dorsal fin, on the top of its body, to get a ride around the pool.
   
For younger animal lovers, there is Dolphin Day Camp. Campers get private sessions with marine animals and assist in training sessions.
   
Trainer for a Day participants, who also appear in one of the dolphin shows, learn what it is like to be an animal trainer. Participants shadow trainers in every department.
   
“We got to interact with sea lions,” said Lisa Massey, a participant in the program. “We even got a kiss from a sea lion.”
   
Amateur trainers can see the different learning speeds of sea lions by watching Secret Holmes, the marine life director, work with Duke and Otto.
   
“It all depends on the trainer and how fast the animal can learn,” said Lulu Brooks, a trainer at Gulf World. “What could take Secret a month to teach Duke could take Otto six months.”
   
Participants learn about each individual animal’s care; from their diet to how to give Duke and Otto a proper belly rub.
   
Watching a parrot play basketball and dolphin jump through a hoop are amusing, but Gulf World aims to do more than just entertain its guests.
   
“There’s a message in the dolphin show and the reptile show,” George said. “Hopefully, you’ll learn something from every show.”

For more information, and park schedule click here: Gulf World Park