Sunday, May 27, 2012

CETACEAN CIRCUS--Dennis and Elsworth



'Dennis' and 'Elsworth', two rare Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griseus) lived and performed at Marineland of Florida from 1966-1969.
 
The performing pair were among four Risso's Dolphins that were rescued by Marineland after stranding in May 1966 just a few miles from the oceanarium.  The group photo shows the heavily-scarred males at the top in marked contrast to their female companions.
 
During their three-year run at Marineland, 'Dennis' and 'Elseworth' were the only members of their species on display in the Western Hemisphere.  The only other place known to have displayed this rare dolphin was Enoshima Marineland in Japan.
 
An inseparable pair, the two male dolphins died within eleven months of each other in 1969.  Their rescue from the 1966 stranding was just one of hundreds investigated by Marineland which led to the creation of the Stranding Network on America's East Coast, a nationwide network coordinated by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
 
Courtesy of Greg May, King of Aquaria

1 comment:

Greg May said...

KING OF AQUARIA sez: "What a surprise to see the Universal newsreel of the rare Risso's at Marineland! You never know what Uncle Wade has for you under his 'CIRCUS' Christmas tree!