Our Bottlenose Dolphins - Dolphin Marine Magic

Dolphin marine Magic is home to a family of five indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus).

All the dolphins in our care have either been born right here at Dolphin Marine Magic or are animals that have been rescued with debilitating injuries that meant they would have been unable to survive in the wild. Please allow us to introduce you to the family...

Bucky

Born: Approx. 1970 (Rescued wild born dolphin)
Species: Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

Bucky was named after Nambucca, the place from where he was rescued in 1970. He and his mother, Sandy became stranded on an oyster bed and became badly sunburn and very dehydrated. Today Bucky is the oldest dolphin in our family, he enjoys entertaining the crowd during our Marine Discovery presentations. He is the 'Star' of the park and the alpha male at the park. Bucky is the father of Zippy (born June 1988), Bella (born July 2005) and Jet (born December 2009).

Calamity

Born: Approx. 1981 (Rescued wild born dolphin)
Species: Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

Calamity was originally rescued from the Tweed River in 1992 with discarded fishing line wrapped around her tail fluke. This fishing line was cut loose and she was released back into the river in the hope she would be able to relocate her pod and resume a normal life.

However, 18 months later she had to be rescued again, this time with 15m of of fishing line, cunjevoi and kelp strands wrapped so tightly around her tail fluke that it was nearly severed her tail fluke off. Dubbed 'Calamity' affectionately by the staff, she was brought back to Dolphin Marine Magic and given intensive care and muscular rehabilitation until she was able to redevelop at least some movement back into her tail.

In the end, the extend of Calamity's injuries was so great that she was unable to be as released back into the wild and so she was introduced to the rest of the dolphin family where she eventually formed a special bond with Bucky. Since that time she has become a mother at Dolphin Marine Magic, giving birth to Bella (born July 2005) and Jet (born December 2009), both of whom still reside with us at the park.

Zippy

Born: June 26,1988 at Dolphin Marine Magic; Father - Bucky; Mother - Buttons
Species: Indo-Pacific Bottlenosed dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

Zipper (A.K.A. Zippy) is the son of Bucky and another rescued dolphin, Buttons. He was one of the first dolphins born at Dolphin Marine Magic. His name is a play on words from his mother's name (Button - Zipper)

Zippy is a mature male who will one day take the place of his father as both the alpha male at the park and the star of our Marine Magic presentations. However, until then Zippy continues to delight guests with his laid back charm and is a favorite of visiting school children who he teaches about marine conservation in our school Marine Ed-ventures.

Bella

Born: July 11, 2005 at Dolphin Marine Magic; Father - Bucky; Mother - Calamity
Species: Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

Bella is the eldest daughter of Bucky and Calamity. She was born at the park on a cold and windy July night under the anxious supervision of staff who were excited to meet her. She was the first dolphin born at Dolphin Marine Magic in over a decade.

Since that time, Bella has become one of our special interactive animals and she may well be the dolphin that you might meet if you take part in one of our dolphin experiences.

The recent birth of her younger brother Jet was good training for when she has a calf of her own. For now she helping mum to 'babysit' her little brother.

Jet

Born: December 5, 2009 at Dolphin Marine Magic; Father - Bucky; Mother - Calamity
Species: Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

The most recent addition to our dolphin family is Jet, the son of Bucky and Calamity. Jet was born at the park December 3rd, 2009 just after midnight.

Still a young dolphin, Jet's naturally inquisitive and playful nature means he is already taking park in our dolphin experience programs. When he's not participating in experiences, he can often be seen playing with his older sister Bella or interacting with guests at the Dolphin Lagoon's underwater viewing windows.

As Jet grows older and matures, he will form stronger bonds with his brother, Zipper and father Bucky, spending more time away from the female dolphins.