Controversy over the move to Atlantis

The Katrina dolphins have become household names, but there has been major controversy over sending the animals to the Bahamas.

Shortly before the news of the animals going to the Bahamas, stories were surfacing over Atlantis wanting to capture wild Solomon Island dolphins for their new Dolphin Cay.

Alarm Over Kerzner's Dolphin Imports (JonesBahamas.com)

When news hit that the dolphins would be flown to the Bahamas, Dr. Moby Solangi and Don Jacobs (part owners in Marine Life), began a lawsuit about ownership.

Mississippi dolphins flown to Bahamas

Dolphins Displaced By Katrina Moving To Bahamas (nbc6.net) [Video included]


Georgeanne Irvine has now worked together with Atlantis to write a 170 page book about the dolphins' journey to the Bahamas. Although some trainers helped with the information of the book, the majority of them wished to be unnamed. There was also no thanks given to Dr. Solangi.

New Book Details Dramatic Rescue of Katrina Dolphins

The above article does discuss the births of three calves to Kelly, Shelly and Jackie since being at Atlantis.

You can purchase the book on Atlantis' website.

Where are the animals?

Many of Marine Life's animals were displaced during and after the storm. The most publicized account was that of the 8 dolphins in Marine Life's Main Tank (Noah, Elijah, Jill, Kelly, Jackie, Shelly, Toni and Tamara) . They were washed out into the Gulf of Mexico and later found. Below are links of articles.

Lost in Katrina, dolphins 'flipping' to be found (MSNBC.com) [With picture and video]

Katrina dolphin rescue launched (BBC) [Video included]


Late in 2005, reports were made that all of the animals of Marine Life would be sent to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Below is an article.

'Katrina' dolphins to get back together in Bahamas (USA Today) [With pictures]
This article suggests that the Atlantis Resort was going to take in all of the animals from Marine Life. Currently, that is not the case.

The exotic birds are currently being house at the The ZOO in Northwest Florida.

Six sea lions that were evacuated to Sea World Orlando, were sent to Dolphin Encounters in the Bahamas. They were reunited with a previous Marine Life trainer, Kim Terrell. Below is an article about those six sea lions .

DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS ON BLUE LAGOON ISLAND BECOMES PERMANENT HOME FOR SIX KATRINA DISPLACED SEA LIONS [With pictures]

Andre, the sea lion, is now a resident of the Memphis Zoo. Below is a link to his story.

Memphis welcomes sea lion displaced by Katrina
This article explains that Andre will be a temporary resident.

Memphis Zoo link for the new exhibit Northwest Passage


More updates on the animals to come...

First Post

This blog is spread awareness of Marine Life Oceanarium (Gulfport, MS) and the animals that were a part of the facility. Any comments, questions, and contributions are greatly appreciated.

Marine Life was destroyed on August 29, 2005 from Hurricane Katrina.