A team of marine mammal trainers from the Primorsky Aquarium have completed a ten-day exchange program in Hefei, China, at the invitation of the Hefei Andover Oceanarium Co. Ltd. The delegation—Anna Salnikova, Elena Kuznetsova, and Elizaveta Chon-Chon-Son— took part in discussions on marine mammal care and training techniques, alongside live performance sessions in the oceanarium’s aquatic arena. Russian trainers showed their professional skills during the May Day holiday weekend, which marked the Labor Day (May 1) observance in China.
Elizaveta Chon-Chon-Son shared her impressions: “The trip has been highly productive. The approach to animal training in China is somewhat different, but we adapted quickly. We worked with common bottlenose dolphins and, for the first time, with Risso’s dolphins. Only a few training sessions were needed to build rapport. We learned the hand gestures and performed for Chinese audience on May 1. The reception was very warm—applause and smiles. It’s an invaluable experience for us.”
Last autumn, three other trainers, Aurika Brykova, Elizaveta Chizhova, and Iaroslav Sergeev, undertook the same professional visit to Hefei, Fuyang and Nanjing, and they also participated in training sessions, live performances, and meetings with the colleagues from the Andover Leisure Group. Their performance so impressed both specialists and spectators that the Chinese company extended a new invitation to their Russian counterparts.
“This kind of exchange is becoming a fine tradition,” said Anton Brykov, Chief of the Marine Mammal Division at the Primorsky Aquarium. “And it’s essential that we show ourselves in the best possible light, as we represent not only our aquarium but also the Russian Federation. For our staff, the benefits include a new perspective on their work, a break from daily routines, and new experiences. Meanwhile, our Chinese partners gain insights from the training methods we’re rightly proud of.”
It should be mentioned that these reciprocal visits are organized under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023 between the Primorsky Aquarium and the Hefei Andover Oceanarium Co. Ltd.
