Enjoy this holiday poem highlighting our mission, our residents, and rescue stories.
T’was the day of Winter’s Rescue, when right along the shore
A crab trap was seen, moving and moving some more;
A little dolphin was trapped, the rope wrapped ‘round her tail,
CMA helped little Winter, and she just wouldn’t fail.
Winter has inspired many people to be strong
Then, in 2010, little Hope came along.
She was orphaned, needed care, and care we would lend,
And now Hope has become Winter’s very best friend.
CMA has helped rescue many animals this year,
Animals that have stranded far from us, and near!
Manatees have been trapped and needed us there,
So the team went and found them, and got them some care.
In June, there was a turtle, found floating and sick,
We gave it some meds, and that did the trick!
The turtle’s name was Toot, and a big success it would be,
When we released Toot in September, right back to the sea!
Cooper, an otter, had been struck by a car.
If you look at his back, he even has a small scar.
His back legs don’t hold him, but here with us, life is good,
He couldn’t be released; that we understood.
Walle, a young otter, was raised as a kit.
To go back to the wild, he just wasn’t fit.
So he came to live with us, here at CMA
And his antics keep us smiling, every single day.
Now Ricky, our pelican, he’s a beautiful bird.
Raised in Cali, a movie star, I know…sounds absurd!
He can’t live in the wild, because he hasn’t the skills,
So he lives here with us, and he gives us such thrills.
We do have a male dolphin, you might not have known…
He was rescued on Christmas, such resilience he’s shown!
He was burned by the sun when he was stranded on shore,
But he healed and grew up, and every day we love him more!
We have lots of turtles that live here in our place,
Mavis, from Dolphin Tale 2 – do you recognize the face?
Lots of turtles we care for, they were injured by a boat,
Air gets trapped in their shells, they can’t help it, they float!
Our residents here get such amazing care,
They wouldn’t have survived had we not been there.
If we could have released them, we would have, with glee!
But they must live here with us, a great life for them is key.
To rescue, rehab, then release animals in need,
Is so fulfilling for us, and it’s exciting indeed.
But without you all here, we couldn’t do what we do.
We couldn’t care for our residents if it wasn’t for you!
We thank you for your support, and for visiting us here,
Please help us spread our message to lands far and near!
We hope you enjoy Winter’s Wonderland, that’s right,
Now happy holidays to all, and to all a good night!
Holiday story written by Kristen Ingvertsen.
Enjoy this story and more holiday fun on our Sea of Lights Boat Cruise now through Dec. 30!