In addition to the dolphins, a nurse shark, five yellow-footed tortoises, a red-footed tortoise and several tropical birds will make their homes at CMA
Clearwater, Florida. (December 19, 2025) — Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomed two bottlenose dolphins and several other animals yesterday from the Miami Seaquarium to their new home at CMA.
The two female bottlenose dolphins are Star, 26, born 1999; and Squirt, 15, born in 2010. They will join three resident bottlenose dolphins and six rough-toothed dolphin residents in the Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex, after a period of quarantine and acclimation.
The two dolphins were born at the Miami Seaquarium under human care and lack the necessary skills to survive in the wild. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved a permit to transport them to CMA from the Seaquarium, which closed to the public this past October.
“This is a part of CMA’s plan to continue to enhance our dolphin social structure for the benefit of our rescued residents,” according to Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium. “It’s important to understand that rescue takes many forms, and is not always exclusive to rescue directly from the ocean,” said Handy. “Our mission of rescue, rehabilitation, release and research remains steadfast.”
In addition to the two dolphins, CMAl welcomed a nurse shark, four birds (two cockatoos, an amazon and macaw), five yellow-footed tortoises and one red-footed tortoise from Miami Seaquarium.For more information about CMA, its mission and the animals they care for, visit www.cmaquarium.org.
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Media Contact: Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770
- About Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.
© 2025 Clearwater Marine Aquarium | 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767 | 727-441-1790 | mission.cmaquarium.org | cmaquarium.org
We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.
A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization