Rescued On Christmas Eve, Nicholas Enjoys 20th Birthday At Aquarium

CLEARWATER, FL — With a Jell-O cake and a personalized cone to play with, Nicholas celebrated his 20th birthday at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Thursday surrounded by guests during the Summer Glow event.

In 2002, the 120-pound male bottlenose dolphin calf was found stranded with his mother, Noelle, near Gibsonton, with second- and third-degree burns covering 36 percent of his body.

Named in recognition of the holiday season, Nicholas and Noelle were both transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for long-term medical care.

Noelle sustained third-degree sunburns and was believed to have a respiratory illness. She died on Dec. 27, 2002, leaving Nicholas orphaned at about 6 months old. Because he lacked necessary survival skills he would have learned from his mother, Nicholas did not make a suitable candidate for release, so Clearwater Marine Aquarium became his permanent home.

He has lived at the aquarium longer than any other dolphin. Guests can find Nicholas and his companion, Hemingway, at CMA’s new Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex.

Learn more about Nicholas and for information on tickets, visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium at cmaquarium.org.