Greetings from sunny Key Largo!
Hurricanes, Holidays, and Happenings!
Where did this year go? I cannot believe my eyes when I look at the calendar and see the month of December?! Fall is here and, thankfully, so is the end of hurricane season! Fortunately, Hurricanes Ian and Nicole left the DPMMR Connect Center unscathed and our dolphin and human family are safe, healthy, and ready for visitors this holiday season!
As usual, the DPMMR team has been incredibly productive over the last few months improving animal welfare, expanding our capacity for outreach and education, responding to wild marine mammals in need, and enhancing our experiential learning opportunities. One of our most exciting developments is the addition of our newest feathered family member, Jack! Jack is an 11-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw, adopted from our friends at the Florida Keys Brewing Company. He has his own swanky room, inside the former classroom, as well as an outdoor jungle gym. Thanks to each of our supporters who donated materials to help build Jack’s new outdoor enrichment area! He loves it!
Next time you pop in to DPMMR, you will notice several exciting changes including our remodeled gift shop and development of our new and updated upstairs classroom! These fresh spaces allow us to educate even more students and further expand our research and conservation efforts. You will also notice a brand new shade tarp that spans our lagoon area and provides shade for our bottlenose dolphin family. Sign up for a tour while you are here, as we are now offering both the Back Lot Rescue Tour and the Caring for Dolphins Tour several times throughout the day!
Perhaps one of the most exciting and long awaited updates is the return of DPMMR’s Snorkel With the Dolphins program in January 2023! Stay tuned for further updates regarding this program and get your snorkel gear ready for the revival of the only program in the WORLD where you can snorkel with dolphins in a natural setting.
Finally, as the holidays approach, I want to share that I am especially grateful for my dedicated team, our incredible finned and feathered family, and for each of you. Thank you so much for your continued support of DPMMR and stay tuned for special events coming your way in 2023!
All my best,
Nancy