IMMS remembers Hurricane Katrina dolphins

Fifteen years ago, South Mississippians were dealing with the highly catastrophic Hurricane Katrina.

- - - dealt with the highly - catastrophic hurricane -- - katrina.- workers with the institute for- marine mammal studies, were - searching for dolphins washed - out to sea during the - storm.- news 25's toni miles takes us - back in time - and shares an- update- on the story of these dolphins,- through the eyes and lens of- two south mississippians who- were there.

- - "there's always a silver lining."

Especially when you have a- bird's eye view from a- helicopter like - dr. mobi solangi did as an- - - - aerial search was launched for- eight bottle-nosed dolphins - after katrina wiped out their - home at marine life oceanarium.- dr. mobi solangi, president,- ocean adventures marine - park/imms: "the tidal wave took these animals, swept- them away.

Then, 13 days later,- after we went - out in the sheriff's helicopter- and boats we were able to locat- them, literally in the- gulfport harbor.

They were read- to come back home."

Nats: "it was like one person, then the dolphin would come up- on the platform."

Heartwarming moments caught on- - - - camera by tim isbell, who was - working as a photographer for - the sun herald at the - time.

- for isbell, it was more than- just capturing the perfect shot- it was a silver lining of sorts- for this seasoned - photog, weary from the storm at- this point in time.

- tim isbell, photographer: "i always said the dolphins were a- god-- send.

.

<splice> most of it was- depressing, damage, misery.

Whe- this- assignment came in, they said - the dolphins had been found.

I- was like-me, me, me!

I'll go- - - - cover it!

I hopped on the boat.- my first priority was not to- fall off the boat, but the- second priority was to get some- - - - good pictures of the dolphins."

Toni miles, news 25: "imms's mission of conservation and - rehabilitation of area- marine life continues as seen - here with apollo the dolphin."

Dr. mobi solangi, president,- ocean adventures marine - park/imms: "appollo was a stranded dolphin during - the bp oil spill.

It was- - - - rescued.

We brought it here."

Since katrina, imms workers hav- rescued more than 1,000 - marine life animals and have- since moved operations to its - new location here at ocean- adventures marine park off- cowan road in gulfport.

As for- the dolphins that were- rehabbed after katrina-well,- - - - they got their silver lining to- more than 700 miles away.

- dr. mobi solangi, president,- ocean adventures marine - park/imms: "they were shipped to the bahamas - where they are now.

They've - given birth and they're - fine now."

A story with a happy ending for- all involved.

- tim isbell, photographer: - "something as devastating as katrina, a certain beauty came- from it also.

<splice> the- dolphins were - beautiful.

That probably did- untold good for me-just to cove- something - - - - positive."

In gulfport, toni miles, news - 25.