Dolphin on arrival with severe skin lesions.
 
3/19 This dolphin was found inside the Crystal River where it had been staying for a period of time without leaving. Over 60% of its skin was covered with lesions from being in the fresh water and its corneas were somewhat opaque. Lungs were badly congested and there were severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Dolphin is able to swim on its own.

3/20 Dolphin is swimming much better and the lungs are much less congested this morning. Will offer fish later today.

3/21 Dolphin's white count has come down and it ate solid food last night and this morning. Skin lesions have improved dramatically in the last 24 hours.

3/22 Dolphin is eating very well today and many of the skin lesions are almost completely healed already. Looking good for a full recovery, at this point.

3/23 Dolphin continues to eat well although its white count was up a little this morning. New antibiotic was added.

3/24 Continued improvement and excellent appetite.

3/25 White count is down again, skin is much improved, and dolphin continues to eat everything he is fed.

3/26 Continuing to do well.

3/31 Dolphin continues to improve. White count yesterday was nearly normal. Eating very well and very active.

4/1 More of the same.

4/3 CR continues to improve daily.

4/5 Skin has dramatically improved over the last couple of days. Dolphin is very active and appetite is excellent.

4/6 Blood values were normal today, including the white count.

4/8 CR is now gaining weight and looking very good.

4/10 Continuing to do well.

4/15 Yesterday, dolphin was moved into the tank with Vixen. They are separated by a divider, but it is hoped that Vixen will begin eating solid food from watching CR eat. Both seem to be doing well.

4/17 Dolphin continues to do well. We plan to do an exam tomorrow morning to make determination about eventual release.

4/18 Exam determined that dolphin's weight and blubber thickness are adequate for it to be released in the near future. Blood work indicated that the animal is now healthy.

4/21 Continuing to do very well and eating well. Will do another exam tomorrow in preparation for possible release.

4/23 Exam went well and CR appears to be healthy. We applied a freeze brand and have applied for permission from NMFS to release the dolphin soon.

4/26 Still doing well and is able to catch live prey.

4/29 Complete exam this morning revealed a healthy dolphin, so CR has been medically cleared for release later in the week.

5/1 CR was released today (see photos below) in the Gulf of Mexico off Crystal River, FL. He made several leaps into the air following release and was then tracked for most of the day. All behaviors appeared normal and he was about 4 miles offshore when tracking ended.

5/2 CR was tracked again today. He was located about 5 miles north of where he was left yesterday, near the mouth of the Withlacoochee River. He was tracked up into the river, where he stayed for about 2.5 hours, and then back out into the Gulf of Mexico. All seems well with his behavior as he was observed apparently catching fish and socializing with other dolphins.

5/5 CR was spotted again today in association with another dolphin in the same area he was observed on

5/2 Appears to be doing well.

5/27 Took a boat out yesterday and located CR in the same general area as his release. He still appears to be behaving normally and doing well.

CR on release

CR leaps into the air following release

Fluke on arrival (3/19/03)

Fluke improved 2.5 days later (3/22/03)

Fluke almost healed after 2 weeks (4/2/03)

Fluke healed after 4 weeks (4/18/03)