PJ the Dolphin

PJ is a female Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who was rescued in August 2018. The dolphin stranded in shallow water in Old Tampa Bay, where she was assessed by CMA’s veterinarian and other rescue organizations, and then transported for rehabilitation with authorization from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). She was believed to be approximately 30 years of age at the time of her rescue, although her exact age is unknown. PJ recovered but is classified as non-releasable by NMFS for numerous medical issues, including severe hearing loss, vision loss, worn teeth and arthritis, thus the need for long-term resident care.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium will provide a forever home for PJ, who became a permanent resident in March 2019. CMA’s experience with other deaf, blind and older dolphins with similar issues makes our rescue facility a great location for PJ to receive the specialized animal care she needs. PJ will initially be paired with Winter and Hope and live in the Winter Zone. All of the rescued dolphins at CMA will eventually move to the new, much larger, dolphin habitat scheduled to be completed in 2020.

PJ’s older age and condition as a partially deaf dolphin is reminiscent of Panama, who was a past resident at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Panama’s bond with Winter was also featured in Dolphin Tale 2.

Panama came to CMA after stranding in Panama City on October 21, 2000. After being treated for anemia and a severe sunburn, the National Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Service determined she would not be a successful candidate for release and transferred her to CMA on March 23, 2001. Panama was believed to be partly or fully deaf and it was determined she was a “beggar” dolphin in the wild, which means she would rely on boaters tossing out fish or scraps opposed to catching fish on her own in the wild. PJ is also believed to be a beggar dolphin who approached humans for food.