Video: Stranded, Rudolph The Rough-Toothed Dolphin In Good Hands

CLEARWATER, FL — While Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer recovers from his night of delivering gifts around the world, Rudolph the Rough-Toothed Dolphin is slowly recovering at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium after a brush with disaster.

Found stranded on a beach on Sanibel Island on Dec. 16, the rough-toothed juvenile dolphin was transported to the aquarium for rehabilitation.

Aquarium veterinarians say he is receiving around-the-clock care and has been responsive and alert since arriving, but he remains in critical condition.

Rough-toothed dolphins are a small breed of dolphin found in deep warm, tropical waters around the world. About 600 rough-toothed dolphins are estimated to be in the northern Gulf of Mexico.

Vets said he has a long road to recovery, but they are hopeful for his recovery and eventual release back into the ocean.

Rudolph is celebrating the Christmas holiday with the other dolphin residents of the aquarium including Nicholas, who is observing his 17th year at the facility.

The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin was found stranded as a calf alongside his mother, Noelle, on Christmas Eve 2002 near Gibsonton.

Both mother and calf were exposed to direct sunlight and suffered second- and third-degree burns. Noelle eventually died from her injuries; however, her 6-month-old calf recovered, although he lacked the survival skills that would allow him to be released back into the ocean.

Nicholas still bears the scars and skin discoloration from the burns, and he serves as an ambassador of perseverance for children and military personnel with burn injuries and vitiligo, a disease that causes the loss of skin color in blotches.

"Many form a bond with Nicholas and come to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium during their treatment to be reminded that they, too, can live a full life with a skin difference," said Kelsy Long, director of media relations for the aquarium.

Still scarred from burns he received while stranded on Christmas Eve 2002, Nicholas is celebrating his 17th anniversary at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.