One Year after Hurricane Katrina Devastated the Gulf Region, Displaced Children and Dolphins Connect for the Future
August 16 2006 - 10:00AM
Business Wire
It has been one year since Hurricane Katrina ripped through the
Gulf States and changed the lives of thousands of families. It has
also been one year since the former Gulfport, Mississippi residents
of the destroyed Marine Life Oceanarium, known the world over as
the "the Katrina Dolphins", were rescued from the Mississippi Sound
by their trainers and dozens of volunteers. Of the many who were
relocated after the storm, seventeen children and their families
came together at the dolphins' new home, Dolphin Cay at Atlantis,
Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas, to adopt the Katrina
Dolphins, during what was both a moving reunion and unforgettable
experience. These special dolphins have become a symbol of hope,
having adapted wonderfully, living in their new home on Paradise
Island in The Bahamas and exploring a new life. Atlantis' team of
45 marine mammal specialists, so moved by their experiences with
these animals, have honored an important commitment made to Don
Jacobs, Board Chairman of Marine Life Oceanarium, to maintain a
connection with the many Gulf-based families that had a special
relationship with the dolphins. The seventeen families were chosen
by Corps of Compassion (http://www.jointhecorps.org), a non-profit
grassroots organization that was born in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina. In working closely with thousands of people in the last
year, their team helped Atlantis find the families currently living
in Mississippi, New Orleans and around the country. "The stories
surrounding these families are only the tip of the iceberg as far
as the horrors that many Katrina victims have experienced. Several
are still living in FEMA trailers and trailer parks, children are
having trouble adjusting to their new environments, and families
are struggling with terminal illness and learning disabilities. The
families we brought to Atlantis have unbelievable, heroic and
staggering histories. We were thrilled to work with Atlantis to
offer these families their first vacation and break together amidst
tragic life circumstances," explains Scott Sullivan, co-founder of
Corps of Compassion. These seventeen children were the first guests
to interact with the animals in the water - an appropriate mark of
the dolphins' positive acclimation to their new home. The marine
mammal specialists developed a special agenda for the families that
included an official adoption of each of the Katrina Dolphins. The
children spent the three days with their dolphin feeding them,
observing them with the Atlantis marine mammal and medical lab
staff and veterinarians, swimming with them and playing a variety
of games - some developed by the children, others that have emerged
as favorites for the dolphins. "These dolphins made their home for
many years in Gulfport. It was very important to us that we
continued to maintain a link with that community and this evolved,
with the help of Corps of Compassion, into an opportunity to make a
difference in the lives of seventeen children and their families,"
said Frank Murru, Kerzner's Chief Marine Officer. "Like the
dolphins before their move to Atlantis, many of these families are
struggling to find a permanent home. To them, we hope the dolphins
are a symbol of hope," he added. The Dolphins Jill, Kelly, Jacki,
Michelle, Tamra, Toni, Noah, Elijah, Tessi, Cherie, Brewer,
Katelyn, Johnah, Wee Tee, Echo, Sasha and Naia have created a
permanent bond with children Isaac (7, Louisiana), Kameron (9,
Mississippi), Jacob (7, Louisiana), Steven (6, was from New
Orleans, now in Florida), Daniel-Rae (7, Mississippi), Kendyl (9,
Mississippi), Nicholas (7, was from New Orleans, now in Nevada),
Hannah (7, Louisiana), Zenovia (11, Louisiana), Jessica (9, was
from Biloxi, now in Nevada), Jared (8, from New Orleans, now in
Nevada), Daniel (7, from New Orleans, now in Nevada), Janelle (10,
from New Orleans, now in Nevada), Jerlicia (7, Louisiana), Leanna
(10, Louisiana), Lance (7, Louisiana) and Julius (10, Mississippi).
The children will stay in contact with the marine mammal
specialists and medical team throughout the year to continue to
track their progress (and perhaps even help name some babies). "Our
team at the resort has made an incredible commitment to these
children. These days with the animals, along with the chance for
these families to take their first vacation amidst some tragic life
circumstances, were extremely emotional and gratifying for
everyone," explains George Markantonis, President/Managing Director
of Kerzner International Bahamas. "This program will further
reinforce our commitment to the community affected by Hurricane
Katrina. By providing these children with an enduring relationship
with these marine mammals, Atlantis hopes to share these special
dolphins as a symbol of optimism and renewal for residents of the
coastal Mississippi area." In addition to the dolphin adoption and
interaction experience, Atlantis partnered with Kodak to give each
of the children a digital camera to capture their experiences and
to take a portrait of their dolphin for a permanent exhibit that
will open in early 2007 when Dolphin Cay is ready to welcome
visitors. The exhibit will tell the story of each child and dolphin
and will grow with the births of baby dolphins. Concurrently,
renowned photographer and videographer Ron Garrison shot the
children with the dolphins for his new coffee table book on the
Katrina Dolphins to be published in 2007. Portions of the proceeds
on the book will go towards the Kerzner Marine Foundation, a $5
million foundation established to address the conservation of the
world's oceans, cetaceans and coral reefs
(http://www.kerznermarinefoundation.org). About Atlantis, Paradise
Island, The Bahamas Atlantis, Paradise Island is the flagship
resort of Kerzner International, a leading international developer
and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels. The
2,317-room, ocean-themed destination resort in the Caribbean is
located on Paradise Island, The Bahamas. This unique property
features three interconnected hotel towers built around a 34-acre
waterscape with eleven million gallons of fresh and saltwater
lagoons and pools. The resort offers an entertainment center with
the largest casino in the Caribbean, an impressive collection of
luxury boutiques and shops and extensive meeting and convention
facilities. Home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the
world - second only to Mother Nature, there are 50,000 marine
animals in lagoons and displays including The Dig, a maze of
underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through
ancient Atlantis. The Company recently commenced development of a
major expansion that includes a 600-room all-suite luxury hotel
called THE COVE and a significant enhancement to Atlantis
water-based attractions. Certain parts of this expansion have
already opened, including Marina Village at Atlantis, with the
remaining elements expected to open by early 2007. For further
information about Atlantis, Paradise Island; telephone
954-809-2000, or visit on-line at Atlantis.com. For reservations,
call your travel agent or 800-ATLANTIS. Both low and
high-resolution color photography of Atlantis, Paradise Island is
available at AtlantisBrand.com. If you are a new user to this site,
please complete the online registration to be granted access to the
Digital Asset Library. About Kerzner Marine Foundation The Kerzner
Marine Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation that fosters
the preservation and enhancement of global marine ecosystems
through scientific research, education, and community outreach. The
Foundation is funded by Kerzner International Limited (NYSE:KZL), a
leading international developer and operator of resorts, casinos,
and luxury resort properties. The strategic focus of Kerzner Marine
Foundation is protecting the integrity of tropical marine
ecosystems which are becoming increasingly threatened due to
overexploitation and overpopulation. Priority is placed on projects
that include the development and management of marine protected
areas, coral reef conservation, as well as dolphin and whale
conservation and research in the Caribbean, Middle East, and
Southeast Asia. For more information, visit
http://www.kerznermarinefoundation.org. About Corps of Compassion
Corps of Compassion is a 501c3 non-profit grass roots organization
dedicated to connecting survivors of disasters to available
resources. The Corps, which was initially formed by Louisiana
native Scott Sullivan and Las Vegan Joelle Jarvis in response to
Hurricane Katrina, is committed to developing leadership and
community empowerment for adults and young people, the latter
through Kids Corps. To date, Corps of Compassion has assisted over
10,000 Katrina survivors and first responders through case
management, facilitating government aid and contributions. The
Corps has also been successful in keeping the conditions and status
of victims in the public eye, and has expanded benefits to include
vital necessities for children in need. Funding comes from
individuals, corporations, faith based organizations, and
fundraising events.
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