Grassy Key, FL… A young male dolphin that stranded in Louisiana last September has successfully joined a new home at Dolphin Research Center (DRC), a nonprofit marine mammal education and research facility in the Florida Keys. 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. He will then be integrated into the center’s family of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins which now, with his arrival, numbers 23. Most of the dolphins were born at the center; others came to DRC for a variety of reasons. “Providing good, healthy homes to marine mammals in need is an important part of the DRC mission,” said President and CEO Rita Irwin. “We are delighted to welcome Louie into the family.”
Louie’s tale is a true survivor’s story. He was discovered on Fourchon Beach, LA, on September 2nd 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 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 of 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 DRC’s 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.
BP provided funds to help defray the cost of the transport. “Throughout the response, protecting and treating wildlife has been 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.”
DRC is providing 24 hour monitoring and care to help Louie settle in at his new home.
