Florida's Gulfarium - Hurricane Katrina Donations - Help Maine Life Oceanarium of Gulfport

Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, Mississippi was completely destroyed from Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005. Florida's Gulfarium, Gulf World Marine Park and Sea World of Orlando have all helped to recover, save and house some of the marine animals from this park. There are still some dolphins and sea lions from the facility that are unaccounted for.

Florida's Gulfarium is housing six of their dolphins and three sea lions temporarily untill Marine Life Oceanarium is up and running again. Staff from Seaworld and Gulf World as well as the Gulfarium traveled to Gulfport just after the hurricane to pick up the animals. The dolphins and sea lions were brought here, and some of the other sea lions were taken on to Seaworld. One or more of the Marine Life staff will be staying here in the Fort Walton area to help take care of their dolphins while they're with us. Some of the Marine Life staff are currently without a home and lost everything they had since the storm hit.

The Destruction: According to the staff at Marine Life the only thing left standing is their main dolphin tank (comparable to Florida's Gulfarium main dolphin tank). The storm surge sucked the bottom of the tank downward, making it unusable. To put it in perspective, imagine the same kind of destruction at the Gulfarium: absolutely everything outside including the bleachers, overhead covers, tanks, filters, and pools would be completely gone. There would not be even a trace of anything left on the grounds, only sand and debris from elsewhere. The main building would be totally collapsed or gone altogether, and the only thing left standing would be the main dolphin tank, but it would be empty of water and storm debris piled up inside. That's how bad Marine Life got hit.

Marine Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, MS suffered near total
destruction by Hurricane Katrina's record storm surge.

YOU CAN HELP!
We are asking for donations to help with the living expenses of the Marine Life staff who will be staying here for months and for the expense
of caring for the dolphins staying with us. Please click HERE if you would like to donate. We appreciate your help. Please note that contributions to Florida's Gulfarium are NOT tax-deductible.

Ross Taylor AFP/Getty Images
The head trainer at Marine Life Oceanarium successfully rescues a sea lion after Hurricane Katrina.