July 21, 1994 Contact: Robert Irion (408/459-2495)

"CATALINA BOB" ARRIVES SAFELY AT SEA WORLD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CRUZ, CA--"Catalina Bob," the resilient common dolphin that first came ashore in early April, is one step closer to returning to his ocean home today after a nine-hour transport from the Long Marine Laboratory at UC Santa Cruz to Sea World in San Diego.

Catalina Bob arrived at Sea World at about 6 a.m. today. His was immediately placed into a behind-the-scenes pool with another common dolphin that Sea World is nursing back to health.

"Bob did extremely well on the transport," said Dr. David Casper, the Long Marine Lab veterinarian who accompanied the dolphin on the trip. Casper said the dolphin ate a full meal this morning and appears to be acclimating to his new surroundings and the other dolphin. The goal is to release both dolphins into a pod of other common dolphins off the southern California coast.

Dr. Laurie Gage of Marine World Africa USA joined Casper on the transport, along with two dolphin trainers, one from Marine World and one from Long Marine Lab. Marine World supplied the truck, which left Long Marine Lab at about 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Catalina Bob stranded himself near Morro Bay on April 3. A team led by Gage rehabilitated the dolphin at Marine World in Vallejo, in conjunction with The Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito. The caretakers released the dolphin into Monterey Bay on May 9, but he returned to shore in Santa Cruz two days later and was taken to Long Marine Lab. From May 11 through July 20, Casper and his coworkers focused on fighting the dolphin's infections with antibiotics and increasing his weight. As of his transport, the dolphin's blood values were close to normal, and he weighed 250 pounds, up from a low of 200 pounds.

Catalina Bob is an adult male common dolphin (Delphinus capensis), 7-1/2 feet long and perhaps 10 to 12 years old. His care at Long Marine Lab cost about $2,500 per month and was offset by contributions of $2,500 from both Marine World Africa USA and The Marine Mammal Center.

Editor's note: For further information about Catalina Bob's condition and plans for his continued treatment and eventual release, call Sea World's public relations office at (619) 226-3929. B-roll footage and photos of the dolphin's arrival are available. NOTE TO BROADCASTERS: Sea World plans to uplink its B-roll via satellite at12 noon today (Thursday) at coordinates Galaxy 6, Transponder 2.

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