Doris is one of the four rough-toothed dolphins who arrived at CMA in June, 2025. Estimated to be 28 years old, Doris is now the oldest dolphin under our care!
Where to See
About Doris
Doris
- Estimated Age
- 28
- Sex
- Female
- Rescue Date
- 9/27/2004
- Origin
- Cape San Blas, Florida
- Arrival Date
- 6/4/2025
Rescued 9/27/2004 in Cape San Blas, Fl by Gulf World Marine Institute (GWMI). Doris was set to be released with other stenos Astro and Noah, until they were deemed non-releasable due to hearing loss. This in turn caused Doris to be deemed non-releasable.
More about Doris
Doris at CMA
You can tell Doris apart from the other rough-toothed dolphins by her mottled coloration along the edges of her top and bottom rostrum.
Since coming to CMA, our team has noticed she seems especially fond of her mat enrichment, as well as tactile interactions from her care staff.
Arrival at CMA
Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) welcomed four female rough-toothed dolphins into its care.
CMA has served as the first responders for marine mammals and animals for decades. Recognizing the vital role CMA plays in marine mammal rescue and its expertise with rough-toothed dolphins, CMA and Gulf World, an aquarium located in Panama City Beach, FL., worked collaboratively in relocating these marine mammals.
CMA’s animal care team first ensured the marine animals were stable for transport and prepared for their transfer to Clearwater. The four dolphins — Doris, Kitana, Dagny and Wren — are estimated to be 28, 18, 10 and 5 years of age.
These four rough-toothed dolphins have been deemed non-releasable by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) after stranding and are not able to be released back into the wild.
CMA is committed to its mission to rescue marine life. Rescue comes in many forms, and we remain steadfast in our mission to provide exceptional care for all marine animals at CMA.
CMA is currently the only aquarium in the United States that cares for rough-toothed dolphins. The addition of these dolphins will bring CMA’s total cetacean population to nine dolphins, which guests will see when they visit the Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex.
Species Threats
Entanglement
One of the main threats to rough-toothed dolphins is getting entangled or captured in commercial fishing gear, such as gillnets and in drive fisheries outside of the U.S., which can injure or kill them. While there is no reported bycatch from U.S. fisheries, rough-toothed dolphins are known to take bait from fisheries in Hawaiߵi.
Hunting
Rough-toothed dolphins have been killed in direct fisheries in Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, West Africa, and the Caribbean Sea.
Ocean Noise
Underwater noise pollution interrupts the normal behavior of rough-toothed dolphins, which rely on sound to communicate and echolocate. If loud enough, noise can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss. Noise interference from vessels, as well as industrial and military activities, disturbs rough-toothed dolphins’ feeding, communication, and orientation
Did You Know…
