His daughter, Tursy, is also a fine tail-walker. The DRC maintains the grave, and in honor of her accomplishments they always make it the first stop on the tour. When she died, of a heart attack, she was buried beneath a dolphin statue in the School's courtyard. The center is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit research and educational facility, funded by people who visit the facility, as well as by those who join the DRC. Leashed or harnessed pets are welcome to join you Spend an hour or stay all day learning about these incredible marine mammals.
Mitzi's lively screen presence made the film (and its accompanying TV series) a hit, and she became a beloved celebrity at Grassy Key. Bring Fido and your family to meet the dolphins and sea lions at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, FL.
Mitzi, who was Santini's first pupil, was picked to star as Flipper in the original movie (with "Branded" heartthrob Chuck Connors), which was filmed at the School. It was run by Milton Santini, a pioneer in dolphin husbandry and training. Watch and learn all about these amazing animals including dolphin maternity, social groupings, physiology, natural abilities and more. Home to a family of dolphins and sea lions, we offer fun-filled narrated behavior sessions and educational presentations every half an hour. Eco Tour Agency in Zitundo, Maputo, Mozambique. Dolphin Research Center is a nonprofit education and research facility. Nevertheless, the dolphin who nudged wayward boats to safety, knocked guns out of poachers' hands with well-timed leaps, and warned Bud and Sandy whenever danger lurked, was a lady.īack in the early sixties, the DRC was known as Santini's Porpoise School. See more of Dolphin Encountours Research Center on Facebook.
Each boat is 150.00 for an hour and a half. We have two boats, so we can have larger groups divided up between our two boats. Gipper, did all of Flipper's tail-walking (Mitzi never could master that trick). If you want a private tour for your family, the fee is 150.00 for an hour and a half and includes a visit through the nature center, but please remember we can accommodate six or less people per boat tour. It may shock some to learn that Flipper was a she, although a male stunt dolphin, Mr. It is also the final resting place of the most famous dolphin ever - Mitzi, better known to the world by her stage name, Flipper.
This marks the entrance to the Dolphin Research Center, a serious-minded facility devoted to education and public awareness. At mile marker 59, on the Gulf side, stands a 30-foot concrete statue of a mother and baby dolphin. Two hours south of Miami on US 1 is Grassy Key, a subtropical island in the heart of the Florida Keys. This property also offers a full-service spa and has five swimming pools. For tourists intending to visit this place, they may consider staying at Hawks Cay Resort, where guests can swim with the dolphins. Dolphin Research Center: Grave of Flipper The Dolphin Research Center is one of the major attractions in Marathon as well as in nearby cities of Grassy Key and Key Largo, among others.