"Rocky To Go Home"

Rocky To Go Home
Nation’s First Risso’s Dolphin Release
First Announcement of Release Plans

Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation Sets Plans for an April Release of Rocky, the Nation’s First Rehabilitated Risso’s Dolphin

Contact Information: Kim Durham, Rescue Program Director
Phone: 631-369-9840 (kdurham@riverheadfoundation.org)
Date: April 2, 2005

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation has set the week of April 11, 2005 – April 15, 2005 for it’s first ever dolphin release. This dolphin release will mark the first successful rehabilitation of a risso’s dolphin in the nation. Rocky, a juvenile risso’s dolphin was originally found struggling in the surf at Cape Henelopen State Park, Delaware on July 31, 2004 at 7:30 am. First to respond were local marine mammal rescue personnel from the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute http://www.merrinstitute.org/. Once stabilized Rocky was transported eight-hours to the Riverhead Foundation’s dolphin hospital tank located at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium. At the time of his arrival Rocky weighed 480 lbs and was suffering from a life threatening respiratory infection. After 8 months of rehabilitation and 10 tons of squid, Rocky has been given a clean bill of health by Riverhead Foundation veterinarians Robert Pisciotta and Richard Hanusch. Rocky’s successful recovery marks the first time this species has been rehabilitated in the United States.

Risso’s dolphins are rarely encountered within inshore waters but instead prefer the steep upper continental slope, where water depths generally exceed 1,000 feet. Risso’s dolphins are also called “grampus” and are marked by distinctive white linear scarring characteristic of teeth markings from other Risso’s Dolphins or by their squid prey. Risso’s dolpins are primarily squid eaters and due to their preference for deeper water very little information on their biology and migratory patterns have been defined.

Preparations for release will include the attachment of satellite tag and VHF radio transmitter to the dorsal fin. The data on Rocky’s movement’s as well as his diving patterns will be transmitted via satellite and then relayed to the Riverhead Foundation where it will be made available to visitors at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium.

The release has been scheduled for the week of April 11th and will involve a ground transport to the Town Dock at the end of Dune Road in Hampton Bays. Rocky will be transported in a custom made wet transport box which will be loaded aboard the R/V SeaWolf, Stony Brook University Marine Science Research Center’s 80 ft. research vessel. The R/V SeaWolf will transport Rocky approximately 40 miles offshore to an area rich in squid and marine life. The transport to the release site is anticipated to take 4-5 hours and will begin at 6:00 am with a grand procession and escort from multiple vessels including the US Coast Guard through the Shinnecock Inlet out to sea.

A diary of Rocky’s road to recovery is available at www.riverheadfoundation.org. For additional information on how individuals and corporations can assist with Rocky’s recovery and release please call 631-369-9840.

Video footage of the release at sea will be available upon request. Please contact the Riverhead Foundation to reserve video or inquire about available space aboard the transport or release vessels. Limited spots are available and will be filled on a first come basis. This is a unique opportunity to view first hand the first ever release of a Risso’s dolphin. The general itinerary of the release is as follows:

Preparation of dolphin for release will begin at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium at approximately 1:00 am with departure from the aquarium scheduled for 3:00 am. Release procession will travel down route 24 through Hampton Bays Main Street to Ponquogue Avenue and south to the Town Dock located on Dune Road by the Shinnecock Inlet. Loading of the dolphin aboard the R/V Sea Wolf will occur between 4:30 – 5:30 am with departure from the dock at 6:00am.

The exact release date will be determined pending weather conditions on or about April 9th-10th and a press broadcast will be issued.

Return to Media Center Home