Meet Dolphin 56

Researchers captured Dolphin 56 in Florida in 1979, let him go, and have been following him ever since.



WASHINGTON - A celebrity who's been thrilling fans for decades is making appearances in our region. You don't need tickets to see him. Just head to the beach.

He's a very special bottlenose dolphin known as 'Dolphin 56.' Researchers captured him in Florida in 1979, let him go, and have been following him ever since. "'Dolphin 56' was freeze-branded on his dorsal fin, so there's actually a number 56 on the dorsal fin," says Doctor Cindy Driscoll, State Wildlife veterinarian with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

In recent months, this particular marine mammal has been spotted in our region. "This spring we've had several sightings in Virginia and New Jersey and in Maryland ... usually pretty close to the coast, maybe hanging out around marinas or anywhere near the coast around piers," Driscoll says. "He's known to be very people-friendly."

"This dolphin is very unusual in that he does frequent areas where people are likely to be," Driscoll adds. "Most dolphins retreat when people are around."

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He was believed to be 10 to 12 years old when he was captured and branded in 1979. That means he's more than 40 years old. Dolphins have been known to live as long as 50 years.