Good News and Good Humans: The Dolphin Marine Conservation Park Has Been Rescued!
Thanks to the generous donations and community spirit of good humans on the Coffs Coast, the Coffs Harbour Dolphin Marine Conservation Park will remain open, from now and long into the future.
When I was a child, our family occasionally went on holiday to Coffs Harbour. We’d stay at the Urunga Holiday Park, about half an hour from Coffs, and spend our time walking along the boardwalk or building sandcastles on the beach. On other days, we’d venture into Coffs Harbour and spend the day exploring the beachside town.
One of my favourite places to go was the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park. I remember watching in awe as the trainers got the dolphins to stand on their strong, rubbery tails above the water, or do front flips with total ease. After the show, we were able to hand-feed them special treats. There was also a seal that I loved to watch as it dived out of the pool and splashed onto the rocks, covering its face with its flippers in mock embarrassment when prompted by its human friends.
While this was all very entertaining for nine-year-old me, the thing I loved the most was that the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park offered a safe place for injured marine animals to go. It was a rehabilitation centre for them and an education centre for us.
Coming from regional NSW, getting so close to marine animals was an incredible feeling. I look back on the experience fondly, and to this day, I still get really excited when I see dolphins in the ocean.
But…
Unfortunately, earlier in the year, the park went into voluntary administration and faced possible closure. A place that had served Coffs Harbour for the past 50 years and held a special place in the memories of thousands of families could have been lost forever.
That was until 18 October 2023, when in a remarkable turn of events, it was announced that the Dolphin Marine Park was to stay open thanks to charitable donations from the Coffs Harbour community and a local family committed to providing a safe place for injured animals!
Hooray!
The park’s current Life Science Manager Tiga Cross, who has been at the park for the past 15 years, rallied the community with fundraising efforts and also contributed a significant personal financial investment to ensure the park stayed open.
“I believe in the future we have planned for the park, so it was a big but logical decision for us to invest in its future and keep the site open. This is great news for our 50 marine animals, our 40 staff, our 100 volunteers, and of course, the 400 marine animals we rescue and release each year," said Tiga.
Rebranding from the beloved Dolphin Marine Conservation Park to Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, Tiga is devoted to preserving the Park's legacy while highlighting new plans for more exhibits, interactive experiences, and partnerships with community rescue organisations, saying "The transition into the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is an exciting development that allows us to further our commitment to wildlife conservation and education.”
Ready to embrace the new chapter of the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary?
You can visit the newly rebranded Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary seven days a week. Take your little ones to meet the animals in care, or follow your dreams and swim with dolphins during the private Shallow Water Dolphin Experience. Enjoy a meal with friends at Creekside Cafe, open from 7.30am – 2.30pm seven days a week, or take a stroll through the gift shop. Perhaps you’re searching for something different for your next special occasion? Why not create an unforgettable experience and host your function at the centre. Find out more information here:
dolphinmarineconservation.com