HOPE THE BABY DOLPHIN

Hope's Story

A On December 11, 2010, Hubbs Sea World Research Institute received a call that a dolphin calf was found in the Indian River Lagoon on the East Coast of Florida. Staff from Hubbs located the calf, where she was found attempting to nurse from her mother who had passed away. The dolphin was evaluated on-site, and in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service, it was determined that she would be transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for rehabilitation. This little dolphin was found very near the area where Winter had been found, exactly five years and one day later! Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute arranged the transportation and transfer to CMA and she arrived during the wrap party for Winter's movie, Dolphin Tale.

Hope, as she was named, was 2 to 3 months of age at the time of her rescue and weighed only 58 pounds. Hope was given 24 hour care by staff and volunteers and was fed every two hours. She is given a formula that consists of fish, powdered milk substitute and water blended together to create a tasty fish milkshake! Today she is about 11 months old, weighs over 150 pounds and is growing steadily. Since little Hope was still nursing when she was found and humans are not able to teach a baby dolphin how to hunt or recognize predators, she is not a candidate for release. Instead, she has found a home with CMA who promises to take special care of her. Hope now knows several behaviors for medical care, mental development and exercise. She is also learning how to swallow fish on her own. One day soon, we plan to pair her and Winter up to become sisters. If you stop by the aquarium, you will get a chance to see her training in action!