9/14/2005

Good News

The Marine Life Oceanarium had long been a fixture in Gulfport MS. Thousands of people, me included have long enjoyed the antics of the dolphins and the sea lions. Sadly, it has been demolished and 8 dolphins which were put in a 30 foot high tank were thought to be lost. The tank was submerged by the tidal surge that swept along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and up through Biloxi Back Bay, the Biloxi River, and the Tchoutacaboufa River. The dolphins were thought to have swam out into the Gulf of Mexico when the tank was submerged.

The dolphins have been spotted at the entrance to the Port of Gulfport harbor and plans are under way to round them up and send them to facilities in Florida. Teams are feeding the dolphins and giving them medication. Sadly, there has been no word of the missing sea lions. Most of the dolphins and sea lions were evacuated to inland pools and those are safe and have been transported to out of state facilities. The tanks in which the eight dolphins and the sea lions were held at Marine Life were undamaged but the tidal surge made it possible for them to swim away. For further information go to Dolphins R Us.

Thanks to Mark for pointing this out:
Most of the tenacious sea lions that lost shelter during the storm have since been rescued. Public response has been instrumental in finding the lost sea lions who have been discovered on back porches, under houses, amid debris piles, and keeping cool in neighboring bays and swimming pools. Katrina claimed the lives of five, and two are still missing.

10 Comments:

Blogger Deadman said...

I just heard that a bunch of otters were transported to Monterey Bay Aquarium. As for the sea lions, if they're anything like the ones around here they will be cruising around the gulf snatching fish from sport fishermen's rods. I don't know that I would be too worried about their welfare. They're probably fine. I hope.

7:40 AM  
Blogger Deadman said...

Spoke ttoo soon, for two, possibly four:

"Most of the tenacious sea lions that lost shelter during the storm have since been rescued. Public response has been instrumental in finding the lost sea lions who have been discovered on back porches, under houses, amid debris piles, and keeping cool in neighboring bays and swimming pools. Katrina claimed the lives of five, and two are still missing." :o(>

7:43 AM  
Blogger Deadman said...

I mean five, possibly seven.

7:43 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

mark,

I didn't read that part in the article. Thanks for pointing it out. I was concentrating on the pictures of what was left of the Small Craft Harbor and the Port of Gulfport.

7:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I noticed the news about the dolphins on the news last night, but I haven't been able to spend much time writing. That news gladdened my heart!

8:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

bob,

Me too!!

3:35 AM  
Blogger Deadman said...

The dolphins are being kept alive off the coast by volunteers until the Navy brings salt water tanks today or tomorrow. They cannot fend for themselves, so the plan is to round them up and get them back in tanks.

8:28 AM  
Blogger Esther said...

I just love dolphins. Thank goodness they're being helped. These animal stories kill me. Not that I don't care about humans... but you know. ;)

10:19 AM  
Blogger Deadman said...

The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs.

11:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

mark and esther,

I am so glad about the dolphins. When I would go to the Gulfport Small Craft Harbor, you could hear the dolphins at Marine Life and the joy they brought to so many people.

10:19 PM  

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