Dolphin 56 was one of five dolphins captured in 1979 near the NASA Causeway in the Indian River Lagoon as part of a field study to track dolphin movements. He was estimated to be ten years old at that time and was freeze-branded with the number “56” on his dorsal fin in Florida as part of an ongoing study.
For over three decades this friendly dolphin has been making appearances and turning up the waters up and down the coast from Florida to Maine and continues to interact with boaters, kayakers and surfers with his fame growing. Dolphin 56 has been spotted northward near Sheepshead Bay, New York but spends most of his summer in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware, dazzling boaters. Bottlenose dolphins have an average lifespan of 25 years with a maximum of 50 years. All dolphins and whales are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and it is illegal for people to feed, pet, harass or harm these animals. Dolphin 56 is about 43-45 years old and was last spotted in the fall of 2011. The Now That’s Wild team will be looking for Dolphin 56 this summer season and will post any updates.
Dolphin 56 is so popular he even has his own Facebook page.