Before Hurricane Irma could unleash its fury on Cuba, activists banded together to evacuate six dolphins from the Dolphinarium in Cayo Guillermo, a small island north of Cubas mainland. The British newspaper Mirror reports that the mammals were wrapped in wet towels to ensure safety, then were put in helicopters traveling to the southern province of Cienfuegos.
The southern part of Cuba is thought to be a safer spot from Irma’s spot, which is why the dolphins were quickly moved there. Upon arriving, they were transferred to a swimming pool, reports the newspaper.
Gonzalo Carrero Escobar, the Dolphinarium manager, told the press that the pool offered dolphins “similar conditions to their natural life.” While a swimming pool will never compete with what the wild has to offer, the important thing is that the dolphins are secure. If weather conditions become unsafe in the pool, the mammals will be transported to a saltwater swimming pool at a nearby hotel.
#Cuba: Evacuan en helicóptero cubano a delfines de Cayo Guillermo para evitar que sufran daños durante el paso por huracán #Irma. @ACN_Cuba pic.twitter.com/mm21xGQgpy
— CubanitoenCuba (@CubanitoenCuba) September 9, 2017
Hurricane Irma, which downgraded to a Category 4 then surged back into a Category 5 storm, has left destruction and heartache in its wake. As of Friday night, at least 20 people were confirmed dead, according to the New York Times. Florida officials are still urging people to evacuate, as the storm’s path has shifted to the western coast of the state.
By now, most civilians in Florida are bunkering down and waiting for the hurricane to pass. We can only hope that the majority of people and animals have found adequate shelter. In the Caribbean, Irma reportedly destroyed 90 percent of the island Barbuda. It also caused extensive damage in St. John, St. Barths, and created power loss for thousands in Puerto Rico.
While there is presently more negative than positive news to report — specifically to do with unruly weather patterns, at least activists can celebrate the rescue of six lucky dolphins.
h/t People
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