NFP: 59-2072869. Thirty-seven years ago we gave my father a birthday present to swim with Dolphins in the Florida Keys and that is how years later Puffin Foundation West became a major donor to the Research Center. In the beginning, the Center had no money and would say a hurricane wiped out our nets that kept our few dolphins in their pools or ponds. We sent them at that time personal money. Now the Center has thousands of visitors a year. They also have turtles, a sea lion, manatees, and a lot more dolphins. Two years ago we renewed our marriage vows there, and the dolphin we first swan with TURSI was our Maid of Honor and Grogu was our ring bearer. We then heard that Tursi was now a grand old dame and almost fifty so we decided to visit her perhaps for the last time 
as most dolphins in the wild live between 16-25 years. When I inquired how they knew that TURSI was going to be fifty (she is now retired from performing) they told us that they knew who her mother was; it was FLIPPER from that famed TV series. We also learned that TURSI has 4 children and 1 grandchild living and the Center
• Continue groundbreaking cognitive and behavioral research with dolphins and manatees in distress through our Manatee Rescue Program
Enhance the lives of children with Special Needs and Make a Wish participants through our Dolphin Pathways program.
Support Wounded Warrior Soldier visits to Dolphin Research Center to benefit our nations’ military men and women and bring much-needed joy into the lives of wounded soldiers and their families.
Each day we have the opportunity to introduce hundreds of people to the DRC family of dolphins. We believe that educating people through our programs about conservation issues and how they can help will truly make a difference in the survival of our planet.. Through your support, you are a vital part of this continuing educational effort.
Again, please accept my sincere gratitude for sharing the dream. Please consider being a donating friend to the Center.
