Replies

Very interesting. Here is more DOLPHIN news:
Two dolphins die at Gulf World marine park
an Associated Press report 3/22/04
PANAMA CITY BEACH - Two young dolphins have died at a Panhandle marine park, and officials are awaiting test results to see if the deaths are related to the deaths of 77 dolphins that have washed ashore in the past two weeks.

Nemo, a 13-month old dolphin who was adopted by Gulf World after he was found stranded on a Georgia beach last May, died Saturday. Ripley, an 11-month-old female born at the park, died Wednesday.

Both dolphins were in good health before showing symptoms about a week ago, said Gulf World co-owner Ron Hardy.

They were experiencing twitches and Ripley was having trouble making squealing sounds.

Staff veterinarians were treating both dolphins for the symptoms, and Hardy said Nemo and Ripley were taking antiviral and other medications. Hardy said results from tissue samples expected within the new few weeks should indicate whether the cause of Nemo's and Ripley's deaths is related to the dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf World animals swim in water taken from the Gulf of Mexico, but the dolphins eat fish that comes from the north Atlantic Ocean, Hardy said.

Preliminary test results indicate the deaths of the other dolphins may have been caused by biotoxin released by naturally occurring algae.

Laura Engleby, a biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, said the agency is still working to determine a cause of death for the dozens of dolphins.