Volunteers Needed for Rescued Dolphins

Credit: Dolphin Life

(Press Release) Key Largo, FL — February 25, 2026  — Dolphin Life is celebrating a major milestone — or rather, six major milestones — following the successful rehoming of bottlenose dolphins Onyx, Zo, Ripley, Aries, Skye, and Ringo from the now-defunct Miami Seaquarium. When Dolphin Life launched its new brand in September, becoming a refuge for displaced animals was part of the long-term vision. What no one expected was how quickly that vision would be put into action. 

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The first four dolphins arrived on December 6, marking the first marine mammal transport out of the Miami facility following its bankruptcy proceedings. Shortly after their arrival, Dolphin Life was called upon to open its doors for two additional dolphins — Skye (28F) and Ringo (15M) — whose initial placement options fell through. Facing an urgent timeline, Dolphin Life once again stepped forward. Skye and Ringo arrived safely to their new Florida Keys home on December 31.

Today, all six dolphins have successfully integrated with the original resident pod at Dolphin Life. The animals are socializing well, forming new bonds, and enthusiastically participating in enrichment and human playtimes throughout the day, all encouraging signs that they are settling into their new environment. While each dolphin is adapting at their own pace, a few individuals are taking a little longer to adjust to life in an ocean habitat, requiring additional monitoring, individualized care, and specialized attention from staff to ensure the continued success of their transition.

But with this life-saving effort comes a new reality: more mouths to feed, expanded veterinary needs, more habitats to maintain, and a growing public eager to learn about dolphin care and conservation. The rapid and unexpected expansion required to welcome these dolphins has stretched the nonprofit’s resources and created an urgent need for dedicated volunteers to support daily operations, guest education, and animal care activities at Dolphin Life Key Largo.

“Opening our hearts and habitat to dolphins in need is exactly why Dolphin Life exists,” said Nancy Cooper, President of Dolphin Life, “But rescue-style rehoming on this scale takes an actual village. Volunteers are the heartbeat of that village — helping us provide exceptional care while inspiring guests to care about dolphins everywhere.”

Volunteers are especially needed during early mornings (approximately 7–9 a.m.) to help prepare the dolphins’ restaurant-quality fish diets. Additional opportunities are available throughout the day assisting with guest education, supporting nonprofit operations, helping in the gift shop, and pitching in with essential behind-the-scenes tasks that keep the facility running smoothly.

Amanda Daniels, Dolphin Life’s Volunteer Coordinator, says the dolphins’ arrival has sparked an inspiring surge in visitation. 

“We’ve seen a huge increase in guests who want to learn about these animals and support them during their transition,” Daniels said. “It’s amazing to see that curiosity and compassion, but it also means our team is pulled in many different directions. Volunteers help us balance it all... caring for the animals, educating guests, and continuing the lifesaving work that brought these dolphins here in the first place.”

Daniels says the organization’s second campus, Dolphin Life Hospital in Islamorada, is experiencing similar growth. Visitation there has more than tripled in recent months, prompting additional tour offerings. Combined with the ongoing maintenance and operation of the new 56,000-gallon Dolphin ICU, the hospital also has an urgent need for volunteers to support facility readiness to respond to stranded animals, educational programming, and guest experiences that fund Dolphin Life’s rescue work.

Cooper says now is a vital time for the organization, and this season the mission needs volunteers more than ever. “This moment represents what’s possible when compassion meets action. These dolphins were given a second chance, and volunteers are the people who not only turn that second chance into a lifelong success story for these animals, but open doors to future dolphins that are also in need.”

Community members, ocean advocates, students, retirees, and anyone passionate about animals or conservation are encouraged to sign up to volunteer by visiting: dolphinlife.org/volunteer and completing the online form.

Those who are unable to volunteer but still want to support the dolphins’ care can contribute directly to their ongoing food, veterinary, and habitat needs through Dolphin Life’s donation programs at dolphinlife.org/Miami.