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Georgia Aquarium unveils new Dolphin Encounter

ATLANTA — Did you know dolphins like Jell-O and breathe through their blow hole? Those are just two of the facts participants in the all-new Dolphin Encounter at the Georgia Aquarium learned Monday, the opening day of the experience.

"We got to feed them," participant Stacey Dupre told Nelson's News. "They did tricks. We got to rub their bellies, backs and fins and watch them breathe. It was pretty cool."

The Dolphin Encounter takes guests behind the scenes at the aquarium and above the tank that several dolphins call home. After some instructions and fascinating facts about the 11 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that live at the Georgia Aquarium, guests were led onto a platform where they had a close encounter with their new friends. The Dupres then got to meet, touch and feed one of the stars of the AT&T Dolphin Tales show.

"I got to throw her a fish," 7-year old Connor Dupre said. "And I got her to splash me and do tricks."

The Dupres and two others spent time with two trainers and two dolphins in this intimate affair. The trainers explained many of the ways the aquarium cares for the dolphins, while offering information about each of the dolphins that were part of the encounter.

The experience lasts about a half-hour and costs $59.95 plus tax per person in addition to general admission.