Posted by: Editor on Aug 18, 2006 – 11:32 AM
newsandinfo It has been one year since Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf States and changed the lives of thousands of families. It has also been one year since the former Gulfport, Mississippi residents of the destroyed Marine Life Oceanarium, known the world over as the “the Katrina Dolphins”, were rescued from the Mississippi Sound by their trainers and dozens of volunteers. Of the many who were relocated after the storm, seventeen children and their families came together at the dolphins’ new home, Dolphin Cay at Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas, to adopt the Katrina Dolphins, during what was both a moving reunion and unforgettable experience.
These special dolphins have become a symbol of hope, having adapted wonderfully, living in their new home on Paradise Island in The Bahamas and exploring a new life. Atlantis’ team of 45 marine mammal specialists, so moved by their experiences with these animals, have honored an important commitment made to Don Jacobs, Board Chairman of Marine Life Oceanarium, to maintain a connection with the many Gulf-based families that had a special relationship with the dolphins.
The seventeen families were chosen by Corps of Compassion (http://www.jointhecorps.org), a non-profit grassroots organization that was born in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In working closely with thousands of people in the last year, their team helped Atlantis find the families currently living in Mississippi, New Orleans and around the country.
“The stories surrounding these families are only the tip of the iceberg as far as the horrors that many Katrina victims have experienced. Several are still living in FEMA trailers and trailer parks, children are having trouble adjusting to their new environments, and families are struggling with terminal illness and learning disabilities. The families we brought to Atlantis have unbelievable, heroic and staggering histories. We were thrilled to work with Atlantis to offer these families their first vacation and break together amidst tragic life circumstances,” explains Scott Sullivan, co-founder of Corps of Compassion.
These seventeen children were the first guests to interact with the animals in the water – an appropriate mark of the dolphins’ positive acclimation to their new home. The marine mammal specialists developed a special agenda for the families that included an official adoption of each of the Katrina Dolphins. The children spent the three days with their dolphin feeding them, observing them with the Atlantis marine mammal and medical lab staff and veterinarians, swimming with them and playing a variety of games – some developed by the children, others that have emerged as favorites for the dolphins.
“These dolphins made their home for many years in Gulfport. It was very important to us that we continued to maintain a link with that community and this evolved, with the help of Corps of Compassion, into an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of seventeen children and their families,” said Frank Murru, Kerzner’s Chief Marine Officer. “Like the dolphins before their move to Atlantis, many of these families are struggling to find a permanent home. To them, we hope the dolphins are a symbol of hope,” he added.
The Dolphins Jill, Kelly, Jacki, Michelle, Tamra, Toni, Noah, Elijah, Tessi, Cherie, Brewer, Katelyn, Johnah, Wee Tee, Echo, Sasha and Naia have created a permanent bond with children Isaac (7, Louisiana), Kameron (9, Mississippi), Jacob (7, Louisiana), Steven (6, was from New Orleans, now in Florida), Daniel-Rae (7, Mississippi), Kendyl (9, Mississippi), Nicholas (7, was from New Orleans, now in Nevada), Hannah (7, Louisiana), Zenovia (11, Louisiana), Jessica (9, was from Biloxi, now in Nevada), Jared (8, from New Orleans, now in Nevada), Daniel (7, from New Orleans, now in Nevada), Janelle (10, from New Orleans, now in Nevada), Jerlicia (7, Louisiana), Leanna (10, Louisiana), Lance (7, Louisiana) and Julius (10, Mississippi). The children will stay in contact with the marine mammal specialists and medical team throughout the year to continue to track their progress (and perhaps even help name some babies).
“Our team at the resort has made an incredible commitment to these children. These days with the animals, along with the chance for these families to take their first vacation amidst some tragic life circumstances, were extremely emotional and gratifying for everyone,” explains George Markantonis, President/Managing Director of Kerzner International Bahamas. “This program will further reinforce our commitment to the community affected by Hurricane Katrina. By providing these children with an enduring relationship with these marine mammals, Atlantis hopes to share these special dolphins as a symbol of optimism and renewal for residents of the coastal Mississippi area.”
In addition to the dolphin adoption and interaction experience, Atlantis partnered with Kodak to give each of the children a digital camera to capture their experiences and to take a portrait of their dolphin for a permanent exhibit that will open in early 2007 when Dolphin Cay is ready to welcome visitors. The exhibit will tell the story of each child and dolphin and will grow with the births of baby dolphins. Concurrently, renowned photographer and videographer Ron Garrison shot the children with the dolphins for his new coffee table book on the Katrina Dolphins to be published in 2007. Portions of the proceeds on the book will go towards the Kerzner Marine Foundation, a $5 million foundation established to address the conservation of the world’s oceans, cetaceans and coral reefs (http://www.kerznermarinefoundation.org).
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