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Well-known marine mammal expert Jim Styers has set up the Myanmar Dolphin Project on an island near Ranong and the adjacent Burmese town of Kaw Thaung. The project aims to study marine mammal populations in the region and to run a dolphin training and breeding centre. Jim Styers’ lifetime of work with marine mammals is legendary. It was Jim who was commissioned to release the famous killer whale (orca) Keiko, the star of the movie series Free Willy. (interestingly, Keiko has refused to go free, and still returns to his pen in Iceland every day).
When John Everingham took these photographs in early 2002 Jim’s new centre in Myanmar had captured three dolphins and was training them in tanks.
Jim has also set up a series of luxury boat cruises through the archipelago on a 30 metre power boat. These cruises do marine mammal counts while exploring the many natural wonders of the islands. Photographer John Everingham joined the first of these cruises in March 2002, and here presents photos of the boat and some of the activities enjoyed by the participants.
These are the only tours to the archipelago that do not focus specifically on diving, though the boat is well equipped with dive gear and this can also be one of the activities. Much of the time is spent exploring the natural diversity of the islands.
In future Jim plans to run activity-specific tours for bird-watchers, sports fishermen, students of photography, naturalists etc..
The trips planned for the high season of 2002 and 2003 will run from November to April, with each lasting one week. This is a fabulous way to enjoy one of the world’s last unspoiled, natural wonders.
To contact Jim and his team directly about upcoming tours go to info@myanmardolphinproject.com.
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