Single, 470 pounds, seeks possible relationship

A stranded dolphin from the Panhandle has joined Clearwater's Sunset Sam. Could it be love?

By JULIANNE WU

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 28, 2001

CLEARWATER -- Sunset Sam has a new girlfriend.

In fact, his new girlfriend has put such a spell on him that he goes around in circles and does flips.

Sunset Sam is the resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. He has been there since 1984.

Panama, who arrived at the aquarium almost two weeks ago, is also an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. She was stranded, then rescued, near Panama City, Fla., last October. Because the National Marine Fisheries Service determined she cannot be released, Panama has taken up permanent residence with Sam in a 350,000-gallon seawater pool at the aquarium.

Dennis Kellenberger, executive director of the facility, said Panama is Sunset Sam's third girlfriend.

There was Halona, who was at the aquarium for about two years and died in 1997.

Before that, there was Sybil, who was about 14 years old and joined Sam in 1991. She died in 1993.

But Sam seems to be one happy camper these days.

"I don't think it was love at first sight," said Coni Romano, senior marine mammal trainer. "But the dolphins are getting along well.

"Panama is 81/2 feet long and weighs 470 pounds, while Sam is 9 feet 3 and weighs 490 pounds.

Kellenberger thinks Panama is older than Sam.

"The only way we could really tell would be to remove a tooth," he said. "A dolphin's teeth are like the rings on a tree. But we don't want to do that."

Kellenberger estimates that Sunset Sam is 19 or 20 years old.

"We know Panama is older because her teeth are pretty well worn down," he said. Age doesn't seem to matter to Sam.

Although they are fed separately several times a day, the dolphins swim together, play together and can be seen nudging each other under water.

On a recent Friday, a large crowd gathered to watch the 2 p.m. feeding. Panama got 15 pounds of herring and Sam got 17 pounds.

Richie Rebert, 8, of West Union, W.Va., was excited about watching the dolphins pop up for their fish meals.

"It's great to see them in person. I've only seen dolphins in pictures," Richie said.

Richie was visiting the aquarium with his mom, Susan Rebert, and brother, Ryan, 6, and family friends Chris Garner and his son, Ryan, 2, all of West Union.

- Information from Times files used in this report.

If you go

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage in Island Estates, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $7.75 for adults; $5.25 for children ages 3 to 12 and has a $4.75 group rate for 10 or more people. Call (727) 441-1790 or toll-free 1-888-239-9414.

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