Multimedia New Release - Love at First Sight!
March 19 2004 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Multimedia New Release - Love at First Sight! Cupid The Valentine's
Day Dolphin Will Charm the Public in Weekend Debut at Six Flags
Marine World VALLEJO, Calif., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Cupid is a
little flirt. The young Valentine's Day dolphin was lavished with
loving attention 24/7 by human caretakers after he washed up, near
death, on Bryan Beach near Freeport, Texas, on February 14, 2003.
Today, Cupid is healthy, affectionate, playful and ready to charm
Six Flags Marine World visitors. To view the Multimedia News
Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/sixflags/12010 .
Cupid the dolphin makes his public debut at a preview for 2004
Season Pass holders on Friday, March 19, and for Park guests on Six
Flags Marine World opening day on Saturday, March 20. Fans of the
dolphin darling will get an underwater view of Cupid swimming,
diving, playing with his toys, interacting with trainers and
people-watching through the windows of the Dolphin Discovery
exhibit pool. Cupid's dramatic rescue started when Texas fisherman
Christopher Cruse called the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network
to help the barely breathing baby dolphin he saw stranded on the
sandy beach. The weak, dehydrated and disoriented young dolphin was
transported to the group's Galveston headquarters for life-saving
intensive care, evaluation and rehabilitative therapy. Thanks to a
full year of round-the-clock attention from TMMSN's largely
volunteer staff, Cupid survived and thrived in human care, though
TMMSN staff and veterinarians noted abnormal behavior patterns that
indicate a permanent neurological condition. The dolphin's
disoriented swimming, particularly when sleeping or at rest, and
its occasional seizure-like episodes, would make Cupid vulnerable
to sharks and other predators in the open ocean. The National
Marine Fisheries Service determined that the best long-term
alternative for Cupid is placement in a marine life park. FedEx
Express delivered Cupid, "the Valentine's Day dolphin," swiftly and
safely to Six Flags Marine World just before Valentine's Day 2004,
donating the 200-pound dolphin's transportation. Cupid quickly
adapted to his new surroundings and new trainers during a routine
30-day quarantine period. At Six Flags Marine World, Cupid's
behavior and neurological condition will be observed and evaluated,
with the goal of integrating the dolphin newcomer into the social
structure of the eight other dolphins who live at the Park. And
Park guests who meet Cupid will be falling in love. Tolearn more
about the good work of the non-profit Texas Marine Mammal Stranding
Network and what you can do to help, visit their web site at
http://www.tmmsn.org/ or call 409-740-4455. The dramatic story of
Cupid the dolphin -- from his rescue, near death, on a Texas beach,
to his year of tender-loving care by dedicated volunteers, to
Cupid's refuge in a California marine life park -- can be seen
Thursday, March 25, at 7 p.m. EST/8 p.m. PST on "National
Geographic On Assignment" on the National Geographic Channel.
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/sixflags/12010DATASOURCE: Six Flags
Marine World CONTACT: Jeff Jouett, Public Relations Manager of Six
Flags Marine World, +1-707-556-5227, or ftp://ftp.com Web site:
http://www.tmmsn.org/ Web site: http://www.sixflags.com/
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