CLEARWATER, FL (June 4, 2025) – Today, Clearwater Marine Aquarium welcomed four female rough-toothed dolphins into our care.
CMA has served as the first responders for marine mammals and animals for decades. Recognizing the vital role CMA plays in marine mammal rescue and its expertise with rough-toothed dolphins, CMA and Gulf World, an aquarium located in Panama City Beach, FL., worked collaboratively in relocating these marine mammals.
CMA’s animal care team first ensured the marine animals were stable for transport and prepared for their transfer to Clearwater. The four dolphins — Doris, Kitana, Dagny and Wren — are estimated to be 28, 18, 10 and 5 years of age.
The dolphins will be under observation and evaluation as they adjust to their new environment. As a facility dedicated to animal health and welfare, CMA’s veterinary and animal care teams will monitor the health and behavior of the four rough-toothed dolphins to ensure their well-being and successful acclimation.
“We welcome these dolphins into our care with a team experienced with the species,” said Kelly Martin, Vice President of Zoological Care, at CMA.
Once the dolphins have successfully acclimated, CMA will announce next steps, including an introduction to the other resident dolphins: Rudolph, 8, and Rosie, 3, both rough-toothed dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins Nicholas, 22, Hope, 14, and Izzy, 9. 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.
“We are committed to our mission of rescue, rehabilitation and release,” said Joe Handy, CEO of CMA. “Rescue comes in many forms. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide exceptional care for marine life,” said Handy.
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.
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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