CLEARWATER, FL (June 16, 2025) – The four new rough-toothed dolphins that were welcomed to Clearwater Marine Aquarium on June 4 are acclimating well and have been given the opportunity to explore all the pools within the Ruth and J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex, giving guests the chance to view these amazing animals up close.
The first pool was specifically chosen for their initial transition, as it allowed for a gradual and controlled entry into the habitat and guest viewing areas. This setup allowed the CMA team to closely monitor the dolphins’ behavior and ensure they are acclimating well to their new home. They are now able to be explore other pools as well.
In the coming weeks, they will be introduced to the other resident dolphins: Rudolph (Rudy) and Rosie, both rough-toothed dolphins, and the bottlenose dolphins, Hope, Izzy and Nicholas.
CMA is currently the only aquarium in the United States that cares for rough-toothed dolphins. The addition of these dolphins will bring CMA’s total cetacean population to nine dolphins, which guests will see when they visit the Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex.
Details about each dolphin:
Doris
Estimated age 28
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics: Light mottled coloration on the edge of her top and bottom rostrum – she looks like a little girl who is attempting to put lipstick on for the first time.
Rescue Story: Rescued 9/27/2004 in Cape San Blas, Fl by Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI). Doris was set to be released with other stenos Astro and Noah, until they were deemed non-releasable due to hearing loss. This in turn caused Doris to be deemed non-releasable.
Fun Facts:
- Doris has complete hearing.
- She is the most dominant steno in our pod.
- She really enjoys in water tactile and being held.
- She is often seen pair swimming with Dagny at the end of the day.
- Enrichment: Large floating mats, hoses, hoops
Kitana
Estimated age: 17
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics: Kitana has a pink/white tipped rostrum. She is very mottled in color especially on her ventral side.
Rescue Story: Rescued in Cape San Blas, Fl by Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI) on 8/19/2009. She was deemed non-releasable due to complete hearing loss.
Fun Facts:
- Kitana is completely deaf.
- Kitana enjoys tactile outside of session, and tongue tactile in session.
- Enrichment: Hoses, hoops, large floating mats, cones
Dagny
Estimated age: 10
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics: Dagny has some malformed teeth which stick outside of her rostrum
Rescue Story: Rescued in Biloxi, MS by Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) 10/12/2018; estimated age 3 at time of stranding. She was found stranded after Hurricane Michael. She did the majority of her rehabilitation at IMMS, but was transferred to GWMI to finish rehab before joining the GW pod. Besides being a young female, she was deemed non-releasable due to hearing loss.
Fun Facts:
- She is very motivated by enrichment and play.
- She is highly motivated by in water work with the Animal Care Specialists, she is a “cuddly” animal.
- Outside of session, she will solicit tactile interaction from the Animal Care Specialists.
- She enjoys ice cubes.
- She is often seen pair swimming with Doris.
- Enrichment: “Balloon” (buoy attached to felt), vacuum hoses, toys with felt strips attached, hose hoops, small balls, large mats. She has recently learned to spin frisbees on her rostrum
Wren
Estimated age: 5
Distinguishing Physical Characteristics: Very clean and young-looking dolphin. She is a longer melon rostrum.
Rescue Story: Rescued on St. Vincent Island, Franklin Co., Fl 7/29/2023 by GWMI. Estimated to be 1-3 at time of stranding. She was deemed non-releasable due to hearing loss. She remained in rehab until December of 2023 due to waiting for permits to actually get a permanent placement, however her rehabilitation was quick as she was relatively healthy at the time of her stranding.
Fun Facts:
- Wren tested completely deaf, but occasionally seems to react to some sound.
- Wren is quite intelligent and has learned several behaviors quickly, both from trainers and observational learning of other animals.
- She is a very tactile animal and will solicit tactile when trainers walk by out of session. She typically swims on her own at the end of the day.
- Enrichment: Hoses, hoops, frisbees
These four rough-toothed dolphins have been deemed non-releasable by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and are not able to be released back into the wild.
###
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