ROCKY'S RELEASE SET FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2005

Rocky To Go Home

Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation Sets April 13, 2005 for the 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 11, 2005

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation has set April 13, 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.

Release Plan Itinerary is a follows: Wednesday April 13, 2005 Morning
02:00 Riverhead Foundation staff members prepare Rocky for release by placing him into a specialized stretcher and customized transport crate
03:00 Preparation of crate with Rocky aboard transport truck for ground transport
03:30 Ground transport to Shinnecock Commercial Town Dock at 333 Dune Road Hampton Bays.
04:30 Arrival of Transport Team to Dock
04:45 Loading of transport crate onto R/V Sea Wolf

06:00 – 10:00 - Vessel transport time to proposed release site (45 miles offshore)

Ground Transport Route Map:
· Exit Treasure Cove Marina/Jerry’s & the Mermaid Parking Lot Turn Right on Main Street
· Turn Right on Riverside Drive (right before rail road crossing)
· Turn Right at light onto Rt 105
· Turn Left at light onto Rt 24 (Flanders Road)
· Turn Left at light onto Montauk Hwy (proceed through Hampton Bays)
· Turn Right onto Ponquogue Avenue
· Turn Left onto Shinnecock Road
· Turn Right onto Foster Avenue
· Cross over the Ponquogue Bridge (Shinnecock Bay)
· Turn Left onto Dune Road and take it to the end
· Turn into Shinnecock Commercial Dock -333 Dune Rd

Rocky’s Story:
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, North Fork Animal Hospital and Richard Hanusch, Aquebogue Animal Hospital. 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.

Rocky will be transported to his release site aboard the R/V SeaWolf, Stony Brook University Marine Sciences 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. “This is a wonderful example of how the Marine Sciences Research Center can meet its public service mission by partnering with a private foundation, such as the Riverhead Foundation which shares our concern for the marine environment,” said David Conover, Dean of the Marine Sciences Research Center. 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 release please call 631-369-9840.

Video footage as well digital images will be of the release at sea will be available upon request.

Return to Media Center Home