Animal Rescues
The Mississippi Sound is home to the largest naturally occurring population of bottlenose dolphins in the world. Every year several dolphins strand themselves on the beach, alive. From the Texas border to the Florida state line there is no facility that can care for or house a stranded marine mammal. The IMMS is determined to facilitate the opening of a stranding center to accommodate stranded marine mammals along the coastal sections or Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The IMMS plans to achieve this goal through membership funds and contributions. To learn more about becoming a member of the IMMSgo to our Membership Page, or to learn about sending a contribution click the icon below.
Wednesday evening, October 18, 2006, IMMS received a phone call from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) reporting a stranded dolphin on the muddy beach of Grand Terre, LA. The juvenile male is doing well and looks to be quickly regaining any strength lost in his stranding. ...(more)

Update : March 27, 2007 - Click here for the latest information and photos of the rescued dolphin

On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, the IMMS stranding team participated in rescuing a stranded dolphin in Leeville, LA, just south of Golden Meadow and west of Grand Isle, LA. The rescue was a three-party effort ...(more)

Thursday, May 25, 2006 a dolphin close to 11 feet and 560 pounds stranded himself in shallow water off Belle Fontaine Beach at St. Andrews. The IMMS rescue team arrived Thursday evening after reports from locals came in ...(more)

Media Update

Hurricane Katrina Dolphin Rescue coverage in article in National Geographic Kids Magazine

IMMS is featured in the June 2006 National Geographic Kids Magazine Read the article here .


Hurricane Katrina Dolphin Rescue coverage in article on Ohio National Guard Site

IMMS is featured in an article on the rescues of the Marine Life dolphins on the Ohio National Guard website. The guard donated much time and supplies in the rescue efforts. Read the article here.

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, the only facility in the Mississippi, Alabama Louisiana area capable of rehabilitating live stranded marine mammals, was called upon yesterday to respond to a rare event. A young adult male pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuate) was in need of help ...(more)

Six days ago, a dolphin pod of four believed to be two adult females, one juvenile and a calf, about six to eight-months old traveled into the Mallini Bayou in Pass Christian, MS. After entering the convoluted channels of the bayou, most likely in search of fish, the dolphins apparently became trapped...(more)

For previous updates, choose a link below.
Dolphin Family Vacationing in Bayou
Adult Dolphins Won't Abandon Calf
Threat level for dolphins by human menance: High

Here at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) we are often asked "How can I help." Whether it is a student at a local elementary school, a visitor that is fascinated by the animals they learn about during a visit to our facility, or someone sitting at home watching our staff's efforts to save local marine mammals that are injured or stranded in the waters of the Gulf Coast, our answer is always the same...get involved!Now through the efforts of the staff at IMMS and our sponsor Marine Life Oceanarium (MLO) you are able to get involved in supporting the efforts of the IMMS and receive interesting and informative benefits as well. Even if you cannot visit our facility, you can still stay informed and show support by becoming a member of the IMMS.

In the past the IMMS has been involved in the safe transport and rehabilitation of: Dolphins, Manatees, Shore Birds, Other Wildlife in distress like Pygmy Sperm Whales, Baleen Whales, Turtles (including endangered Kemps Ridleys)