New Dolphin Arrives at DRC! |
Louie traveled comfortably in water on
soft,
cushy foam pads. DRC Co-Founder
/COO Mandy Rodriguez remained with
him in the transport
box, offering
support, for the entire journey.
A young male
dolphin that stranded in Louisiana last September
has successfully joined his new forever home at Dolphin
Research Center. Named Louie, in honor of his Louisiana
roots, the six-foot, 174 pound dolphin will spend
some time acclimating to his new surroundings and
getting to know his human family and caregivers in
the med pool for about a month. After that, he’ll
be introduced to his new dolphin family.
Louie’s
tale is a true survivor’s story. He was discovered
on Fourchon Beach, LA, on September 2 nd, covered in
oil and suffering additional injuries and was rescued
by the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue
(LMMSTR). “When Louie, the first live oiled dolphin
that was rescued from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill,
arrived at Audubon Nature Institute he was given less
than 5% chance of surviving,” said Michele Kelley,
stranding coordinator for Louisiana Marine Mammal and
Sea Turtle Rescue Program, “He required over
700 hours of hands on, round the clock care just to get
him swimming and eating on his own, which was the first
hurdle. It is rewarding to see that he has fully recovered
and has been given a second chance at life through all
the hard work and dedication of our team.”
Estimated
to be younger than two years old, Louie does not have
adequate skills needed to survive in the wild and was
deemed non-releasable by the federal government. At that
point, Dolphin Research Center offered to provide him
with a new home.
DRC’s Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Armando “Mandy” Rodriguez and Vice President
of Animal Care and Training Linda Erb flew to New Orleans
on January 31st to work with Louie’s caregivers
and get to know their newest family member. “It
was important that we begin establishing a relationship
with Louie,” explained Rodriguez. “After
a few days we could see his trust in us developing.”
Relocating him to
the Florida Keys on Sunday, February 6th was a true team
effort on the ground and in the air. “Louie’s
survival and safe travel was made possible by the Louisiana
Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program, Audubon
Nature Research Institute, United States Coast Guard,
BP, Marathon Jet Center, Paradise Towing and DRC’s
generous donors,” said Irwin. “We
deeply appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in
bringing him to his new, forever home at DRC.”
The United States Coast Guard
volunteered personnel and a Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean
Sentry aircraft for the flight. “It’s a very unusual mission for
us and, at the same time, worthy and positive. My crew
and I are proud to be a part of Louie’s transport
to his final safe haven,” said Lieutenant Commander
Travis Burns, the Ocean Sentry pilot.
The Coast Guard plane touched down shortly before 7
p.m. eastern time, and taxied to Marathon Jet Center
at the Marathon Airport. Paradise Towing of Marathon
helped offload Louie in his travel container and transport
him to Dolphin Research Center.
“Throughout the response, protecting and treating
wildlife was a priority for us," said Dave Rainey,
BP's Gulf Coast Restoration Organization's vice president
of Science and Technology. "We are grateful to the
many people and organizations who have worked tirelessly
to aid wildlife, including this dolphin.”
Please join us in welcoming Louie to his new DRC family!
If you’d like to adopt Louie and
help with his future care,
please click here.
If you’d like to help defray the cost of his transportation
and care, you can do so online by clicking HERE and
putting ‘Louie’ in the Comments column or by contacting
our Membership Desk at
305-289-1121 x229.
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