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Clearwater Marine Aquarium

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Experience • Rescued Animals • Dolphins

Hope the Dolphin

Updated October 11, 2021 Posted April 8, 2020

Hope is one of the stars of Dolphin Tale 2! Her connection to Winter doesn’t stop there: She was found exactly five years and one day after our most famous dolphin in almost the same area!

Where to See

  • Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex

Meet Hope

Hope

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex
Hope Bubbles
Age
11
Sex
Female
Rescue Date
12/11/2010
Diet
Capelin, silversides, herring
Origin
Indian River Lagoon, FL

Hope is an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin that starred in Dolphin Tale 2. Five years and one day after Winter the Dolphin (Dolphin Tale) was found, Hope was discovered in a similar location in the Indian River Lagoon.

A local fisherman spotted Hope in shallow waters, attempting to nurse from her deceased mother. When first responders arrived, they evaluated the dolphin calf and determined she should be transported to CMA for rehabilitation. CMA was able to provide care and nutrition to nurse her back to full recovery. Hope was given 24-hour care and fed every two hours. Hope is currently flourishing at CMA, where she has learned several behaviors for medical care, mental stimulation, and exercise.

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Hope’s Story

Hope's Rescue

hope the dolphin greeting

On December 11, 2010, Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute received a call that a dolphin calf had been found in Indian River Lagoon on the East Coast of Florida. A local fisherman spotted her in shallow waters attempting to nurse from her deceased mother. After first responders evaluated the dolphin calf, and in coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service, determined she should be transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for rehabilitation.

Hope's Recovery

Hope

At the time of her rescue, Hope was estimated to be 2-3 months old. She weighed 58 pounds and was extremely dehydrated, lacking the milk she should have received from her mother. CMA was able to provide care and nutrition required to nurse her back to full recovery.

Hope's Rehabilitation

Hope

During her rehabilitation process, Embassy Blue Institute and Ocean Embassy were consulted to assist with Hope’s initial care and formula. As a nursing calf at the time of her rescue, she did not possess any teeth. Bottlenose dolphins nurse until they are 18-20 months old. Her formula consisted of blended herring, powdered milk substitute, vitamins, oils and water. In the beginning, Hope was given 24-hour care and fed every two hours.

Although it is our goal to return every animal to their natural habitat, Hope did not make a good candidate for release because she was very young and had not yet learned the necessary skills to survive in the wild. Bottlenose dolphin calves learn these skills from their mothers, to whom they remain close for several years.

Hope Today

Hope

Hope is currently flourishing at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Hope’s animal care specialists have taught her several behaviors for medical care, mental stimulation and exercise. She is adventurous, extremely curious and loves blowing and playing with bubbles and squirt toys.

Did You Know…

Hope is extremely curious! She loves blowing bubbles and playing with squirt toys.
When Hope was found, she was no older than three months old!
Hope was found five years and one day after Winter the dolphin.
Hope was found very close to the location Winter was rescued!

Hope’s BFFs

  • Winter the Dolphin
    Winter
  • PJ the Dolphin
    PJ

Hang with Hope

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VIP Bottlenose Dolphin Experience

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Photo Moment With Bottlenose Dolphins

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

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