PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas - On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic storms in the history of the United States, a new book chronicles the extraordinary rescue of eight Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The eight dolphins, Jackie, Jill, Michelle, Kelly, Tamra, Toni, Noah, and Elijah were washed out to sea from their Marine Life Oceanarium home in Gulfport, Mississippi, and dramatically rescued weeks later.
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas - On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most catastrophic storms in the history of the United States, a new book chronicles the extraordinary rescue of eight Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The eight dolphins, Jackie, Jill, Michelle, Kelly, Tamra, Toni, Noah, and Elijah were washed out to sea from their Marine Life Oceanarium home in Gulfport, Mississippi, and dramatically rescued weeks later.
The book features details about the events leading up to Hurricane Katrina as well as the exceptional rescue and recovery mission of the dolphins and their transport to Dolphin Cay at Atlantis, where they are now living with other dolphins from the Oceanarium that were evacuated prior to the storm. Irvine, who is the author of more than 20 children's books and hundreds of articles about animals, spent more than a year researching and writing the book. She conducted nearly 80 interviews with people who worked tirelessly to save these remarkable animals in the midst of their own personal tragedies and struggles, as well as those involved in the dolphins' transport to The Bahamas.
"The Katrina Dolphins: One-Way Ticket To Paradise" includes more than 400 color photographs of the dolphin rescue and the dolphins themselves as well as the hurricane and its aftermath. Many in the book were taken by world-renowned wildlife photographer, Ron Garrison.
The book contains personal accounts of the effort that went into saving the animals affected by this tragedy, in addition to an epilogue about the dolphins' new lives at the 11-acre, 7-million-gallon lagoon at Atlantis' Dolphin Cay, a profile on each dolphin, dolphin facts, marine conservation information, and a rescue timeline.
The book is available on www.ShopAtlantis.com. It will retail for $60. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will go to the Kerzner Marine Foundation to help support the conservation of marine animals throughout the world. The group is a non-profit foundation fostering the preservation and enhancement of global marine ecosystems through scientific research, education and community outreach.
!ADVERTISEMENT!
The Katrina Dolphins are thriving in their new environment, where they are cared for by a team of more than 59 marine mammal specials. A poignant addendum to the dolphin tale is the birth of calves to three of the dolphins rescued from the Gulf of Mexico, which is a true sign of the dolphins' acclimation to their new home in paradise. The first calf, Runner, was born to 32-year-old Kelly on April 4, 2007. And, just two days later, on April 6, 2007, 21-year-old Michelle gave birth to Missi, named in honor of her mother's home state of Mississippi. Three months to the day later on June 6, 2007, 33- year-old Jackie gave birth to a healthy female calf who will be named by the residents of Gulfport, Mississippi, during the annual Katrina Kids event this fall. Katrina Kids reunites children from the Gulfport area with the dolphins for a weekend of educational and bonding experiences.
ABOUT AUTHOR GEORGEANNE IRVINE
San Diego native Georgeanne Irvine has devoted nearly 30 years of her career to raising awareness about animals and wildlife conservation through her writing and speaking engagements. By day, she is a communications manager for the San Diego Zoo, where she has worked for almost 30 years. In her spare time "George" is an author of more than 20 children's books about animals plus hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and Web articles. As a conservation and animal ambassador, she motivates, inspires, and challenges people to become involved in efforts to protect our precious wildlife and their habitats.
ABOUT KERZNER MARINE FOUNDATION
The Kerzner Marine Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation that fosters the preservation and enhancement of global marine ecosystems through scientific research, education, and community outreach. The Foundation is funded by Kerzner International Limited, a leading international developer and operator of resorts, casinos, and luxury resort properties. The strategic focus of Kerzner Marine Foundation is protecting the integrity of tropical marine ecosystems which are becoming increasingly threatened due to overexploitation and overpopulation. Priority is placed on projects that include the development and management of marine protected areas, coral reef conservation, as well as dolphin and whale conservation and research in the Caribbean, Middle East, and Southeast Asia. For more information, visit kerznermarinefoundation.org.
ABOUT ATLANTIS, PARADISE ISLAND RESORT, THE BAHAMAS
Atlantis, Paradise Island is the flagship resort of Kerzner International, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels. This unique, ocean-themed destination is located on Paradise Island, The Bahamas, and features a variety of accommodations, all built around a 97-acre waterscape comprised of over 20 million gallons of fresh and saltwater lagoons, pools and habitats. Home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world - second only to Mother Nature -there are over 50,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays, including The Dig, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. In February, 2007, Atlantis unveiled AQUAVENTURE, a non-stop water experience consisting of thrilling new water slides, a mile-long river ride with high intensity rapids and wave surges, and never-before-seen special effects. Also opened in early 2007, is the resort's dolphin interaction and education center, Dolphin Cay, created with the goal of enlightening visitors about the wonders of these remarkable ocean inhabitants. The Cove Atlantis, a new 600-room resort, opened in March 2007, featuring spectacular designs by acclaimed interior architects Jeffrey Beers and David Rockwell, unprecedented services and amenities, private all-adult and family pools, lavish cabanas and breathtaking views of the ocean. Atlantis is also known as THE culinary destination in The Caribbean with a collection of restaurants from world- renowned chefs including Nobu Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Bobby Flay and Angelo Elia. The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops and the largest conference center, meeting and convention facilities in The Caribbean.
