Dolphin Research

Support Dolphin Research and Conservation

The Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program (GDRP), a partnership between the Galveston Bay Foundation and the Environmental Institute of Houston, aims to better understand the dolphins that live in Galveston Bay. The GDRP studies the ecology, behavior, and health of this population and raises awareness about dolphins through various outreach and education initiatives. You can directly support the GDRP by making a donation to become a member of the Dolphin Society or by adopting or naming a bottlenose dolphin.

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One-year Adoption: $200

Photographs of your adopted dolphin

Map showing all locations where your dolphin has been sighted

Quarterly updates about our dolphins during the adoption year (photos and sighting maps)

One-year membership in the Dolphin Society

One-Year Premier Dolphin Adoption: $500

Photographs of your adopted dolphin

Map showing all locations where your dolphins has been sighted

Call with Director of Research Dr. Vanessa Mintzer to learn about dolphin research and your dolphin

Quarterly updates about our dolphins during the adoption year (photos and sighting maps)

One-year membership in the Dolphin Society

Naming and One-year Adoption: $2,500

Photographs of your adopted dolphin

Map showing all locations where your dolphin has been sighted

Call with Director of Research Dr. Vanessa Mintzer to learn about dolphin research and your dolphin

Quarterly updates about our dolphins during the adoption year (photos and sighting maps)

One-year membership in the Dolphin Society

Recognition on our webpage and program newsletter of your adoption

Opportunity to name the dolphin and certificate of adoption

As a member of the Dolphin Society, you will receive the latest news about our research and dolphins. On top of making a unique gift, Society membership and our adoption kits are a great way to raise awareness of wildlife conservation issues in Galveston Bay. All adoption kit materials are delivered electronically (formatted for printing). Each dolphin may be adopted by more than one person but is named only once. If you have previously adopted a dolphin that is not currently available for adoption but you would like to renew the adoption of your original dolphin, please contact us. Typically, please allow up to two weeks to receive your adoption/naming kit or contact Yolanda Hernandez at yhernandez@galvbay.org for special requests. The deadline to adopt or name a dolphin and receive the adoption/naming kit in time for Christmas is 5pm CST on December 15, 2023.

Choose From These Dolphins to Adopt

Astro II

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by Lawrence Rearick

Celebrate the Astros winning the World Series by adopting Astro II (who was recently seen jumping for joy)! Astro II was the calf of Grace and was likely born in 2013, just before our research started. Astro II struck out on his/her own in 2016 when mom had a new calf and now hangs out with other known juveniles, including Calypso's calf (#279) who left his/her mom the same year.

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Dumbledolph

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by the St. Thomas’ Episcopal School’s Environmental Science Class of 2016

With her wizardly fin, Dumbledolph stands out in a crowd and is very helpful when training observers to distinguish between individual dolphins. Dumbledolph became a mom in 2020! The team first spotted her with a tiny calf in August 2020. Since then, we have seen her frequently with her growing calf throughout Galveston Bay.

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Pepsi

First sighting: August 11, 2015
Generously named by the Smith family.

Pepsi is the mother of #740 (first seen in 2017 as a neonate) and a new calf in 2022. We’ve seen her a few times very close to shore feeding up against docks and seawalls. Maybe lucky fans will get to see her from land and identify her with her unique fin! She sometimes hangs out with another one of our moms Jersey (#43).

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Squirt

First sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by Shell

Squirt was our first cataloged dolphin, so he will always be #1 in our hearts! He is a confirmed male and is one of the most frequently seen dolphins in upper Galveston Bay, with nearly 50 sightings in our catalog. He is an avid flounder fisherman!

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Surfy

First sighted: August 11, 2015
Generously named by Mariloli Odum in honor of her grandchildren.

Surfy (#302) is a confirmed male and is close buddies with #125. They have been seen in large groups socializing with other suspected male pairs including Tide (#69) and 79, and Arnold (#211) and 210. Male bottlenose dolphins often form “male pair-bonds”, a strong relationship between adult male dolphins that can last years, even decades. These bonds are thought to increase fitness and reproductive success. When not pursuing the ladies, Surfy is an active guy, often interacting with shrimp trawlers and bow-riding on large ships.

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Terry Lynn

First sighted: October 15, 2014
Generously named by Charles Gussler in honor of his wife Terry.

Terry Lynn is Ted's (#89) mommy! She now has another calf that was born in 2021! They have been spotted together foraging around trawlers and in the ship channel. Like other mother/calf pairs, they frequent the “bus stop”, a popular spot on the ship channel where dolphins appear to hang out waiting for ships so they can bow ride!

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Choose From These Dolphins to Name

#1000

First sighted: March 21, 2018

Reaching the cataloging of 1000 distinct dolphins was a huge milestone for the Galveston Bay Dolphin Research Program - making this dolphin mom with the #1000 ID very special! She has a well-marked fin with a notch on the tip, so she is easy to spot in the waters of the Bay. She had an adorable calf in 2022! The pair seem to spend a lot of their time in lower Galveston Bay.

NAME ME

#150

First sighted: June 4, 2014

#150 is a suspected male dolphin and is buddies with #170. They are likely a "male pair", which is a long-term bond that male bottlenose dolphins have to improve reproductive and foraging success. We've seen #150 throughout upper and lower Galveston Bay, and he was most recently seen in the Houston Ship Channel!

NAME ME

#170

First sighted: October 23, 2014

#170 is a confirmed male dolphin and is buddies with #150. They are likely a "male pair", which is a long-term bond that male bottlenose dolphins have to improve reproductive and foraging success. We've seen #170 throughout upper and lower Galveston Bay, and he was most recently seen in the Houston Ship Channel!

NAME ME

Meet Our Other Named And Adopted Dolphins

#424

First sighted: October 7, 2015

#424 is a confirmed male dolphin and is buddies with #148. He hangs out in upper and lower Galveston Bay, and you'll most likely find him bow riding large ships in the Houston Ship Channel!

#66

First sighted: July 2, 2014

Since first meeting #66 in 2014, our research team has had the pleasure of watching her raise two calves: #67 and #908. Both are now independent of mom, and we were thrilled to see #66 with a tiny baby in 2021! We've seen the pair several times over the last year, including one time in a group of about 15 dolphins patrolling a shrimp trawler in upper Galveston Bay.

Angelique

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by Madeleine and Raul Montes

Angelique (#39) is the dedicated mother of three dolphins: #40, #737, and a new calf! She is easily recognizable with her tall thin fin, and her calves seem to have inherited her beautiful fin shape.

Arnold

First sighted: June 3, 2015
Generously named by Saint Arnold Bike Team

Although Arnold doesn’t have a lot of markings on his dorsal fin, his tall, uniquely-shaped fin helps him stand out from other dolphins. He is a confirmed male and is strongly bonded to #210. Male bottlenose dolphins may form “male pair-bonds”, a strong relationship between adult male dolphins that can last years, even decades.

Astro

First sighted: November 10, 2015
Generously named by the Prioleau Family

Named after the Astros’ big win in 2017! Astro became a new mom in 2017 and we have been tracking the progress of her and her calf (#767).

Atlas

First sighted: August 11, 2014
Generously named by Atlas Restaurant Group

We have known Atlas (#85) a long time! Our researchers first met him in the Houston Ship Channel in 2014, and with 53 sightings, he is one of our most sighted dolphins. He is a year-round resident of upper Galveston Bay, and he is often seen in groups with juvenile dolphins. Based on his behaviors and associates, we suspect that he could be a young “teenage” male. Our team has never seen him below Eagle Point, so if you like to boat or fish in upper Bay, this is likely the dolphin for you!

Babe

August 28, 2013
Generously named by William Dickey in honor of Ellen Gerloff

Babe was sighted during our very first boat survey! With two new notches on its fin, Babe has recently become easier to spot and identify. Babe is often seen with Shiner (#225), Dutch (#10) and Squirt (#1).

Calypso

January 19, 2015
Generously named by Adam Bangs.

Calypso was sighted frequently right before and after Hurricane Harvey. We suspect she is a female and likely the mother of dolphin #279.

Catsu

Generously named by Catherine Williams.

Catsu passed away on on December 2, 2017. Please consider naming Catsu Two who was named in honor of Catsu. Not available for adoption at this time.

Catsu Two

July 07, 2015
Generously named by Catherine Williams.

Catsu Two is a confirmed male and is buddies with #237.

Cruiser

First sighted: August 28, 2015
Generously named by Ellen Yarrell

Cruiser is a very special dolphin. We first saw her in 2015 when she was leaping, rolling and rubbing on seaweed, trying unsuccessfully to get a fishing line off that was wrapped around her dorsal fin. Luckily, the line was not around her body and did not impact her ability to swim or eat. After several months, the line worked its way through her dorsal fin, cutting off the top part. She is now free of the line and healed up well. We were absolutely thrilled to see her with a new calf in 2021! Cruiser serves as an important reminder to always properly discard of used fishing line and never to fish around dolphins.

Delfini

First sighted: June 3, 2015
Generously named by Cynthia and Donald Stevenson in honor of Cynthia Kostas

Delfini is one of the research team’s favorite moms. She has been seen every year since 2015 and enjoys hanging out in the upper portion of the Bay, often near Red Bluff and La Porte. The calf with her at her first sighting, #222, became independent in 2016. Then, in 2017, she had a new calf, #751. We continue to see #222 around the upper Bay, usually with other juveniles, and even sometimes see him/her visiting with mom and his/her younger sibling.

Delphi

First sighted: October 13, 2014
Generously named by the Annunciation Orthodox School

Delphi is a confirmed male. The deep V notch in the top of his fin, called a "tipnick" by our researchers, makes him easily recognizable. We suspect Delphi is a young dolphin, just reaching maturity, and possibly forming a long-term bond with #218.

Ducky

First sighted: June 4, 2014
Generously named by Bren Gorman

This social butterfly, with a refined beautiful fin, is often sighted in groups of 25 or more dolphins! She is the mother of calf #880 who was born in 2018.

Dutch

First sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by Shell.

Dutch is sighted frequently in upper Galveston Bay and is a close buddy of Shiner (#225).

Earle B

First sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by Pat Hammond in memory of her father

We have known Earle B (#14) a long time! In fact, researchers met him during our very first boat survey in 2013. Since then, we have spotted him throughout the Bay, traveling both in open bay and channel habitat. His best buddy is JakLuk (#35), and the active pair have been spotted bow-riding and feeding behind shrimp trawlers.

Flip

First sighted: July 24, 2015
Generously named by Deerwood Elementary

Flip is a juvenile (young dolphin) that became independent of his mom at the end of 2015. Since then, Flip has been busy socializing with other juveniles and mother/calf pairs.

Genevieve

August 28, 2013
Generously named by Philip and Denise Bahr in honor of Genevieve Pelton.

Genevieve was our second cataloged dolphin! She is the mother of calf #509 who became independent in 2016 and of #854 who was born in 2016-2017.

Grace

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by Cynthia and Donald Stevenson

Grace is a dedicated mama! She is the mom of Astro II (#59), #529 and a new baby! Astro II became independent in 2016, the same year that #529 was born. We think #529 likely left mom in 2019-2020. In 2021, she gave birth to a new calf! The mother/calf pair have been making regular appearances in upper Galveston Bay.

Island Byron

First sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by Gaylynn Thomas for James & Judy Bozeman in honor of Byron Bozeman.

We have seen Island Byron near Morgan’s Point. During one of these encounters, Island Byron and two other dolphins approached the research boat. They were curious about the crew and peeked up at them several times. Although we appreciate these dolphins’ curiosity, we are concerned that this behavior may indicate that people have been feeding them (a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act). We are very eager to learn more about Island Byron’s behavior!

JakLuk

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by J.P. Fjeld-Hansen

JakLuk (#35) was first sighted at Eagle Point in 2014. Since then, we’ve seen him throughout Galveston Bay, but he spends most of his summers in upper Galveston Bay. He is a robust, athletic, presumed male that likes to hang out with his best buddy Earle B (#14). When they’re not chasing the ladies, they like to travel in channels, feed behind shrimp trawlers, bow-ride on ships, and toss fish in the air!

Jersey

First sighted: February 14, 2014
Generously named by an anonymous donor

Jersey is the mother of three of our cataloged dolphins: #44, #741 and #872! She is unique in that #741 and #872 were born very close together (only about 1.5yrs apart) and she has had both calves with her since the first sighting of #872 in May 2018. Jersey has become quite popular among water front communities in Clear Lake and Taylor Lake because she frequented the lakes in Summer 2020 (with her two calves). They were freely moving in and out of the lakes likely in search of prey.

Lucy

First sighted: June 4, 2014
Generously named by Laurian and Tom Tollett

Lucy is a juvenile that became independent in 2016. Since her first sighting in 2014 as a calf, she has had pronounced scars resulting from entanglement with a fishing line. By adopting this young dolphin, you will directly support our efforts to learn more about how human-dolphin interactions can affect dolphins like Lucy.

Mariner

First Sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by the Texas Mariners Cruising Association

Mariner is everyone's favorite socialite! He/she has sightings from around the entire bay, visiting with all different dolphins from mom/calf groups to male pairs and juvenile gatherings. He/she has been seen every year, starting with our very first boat survey in 2013. Mariner's hobbies include following shrimp trawlers and "babysitting" calves while their moms feed and socialize.

Martin

First sighted: July 20, 2014
Generously named by Sandy and Bryce Ward

We have been sighting Martin since he/she was a small calf. But Martin is growing up and separated from his/her mother (#71) in 2015. We now see him regularly hanging out with a group of other young dolphins.

Mrs. Potts

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by the Gessner family in honor of Barbara Gessner

Mrs. Potts is a mom! In fact, we have never sighted Mrs. Potts without a calf by her side! Starting with her first sighting in 2014, she had #73 with her, who stayed with her until the summer of 2015. The next time we saw Mrs. Potts in June of 2016, she had a new baby by her side, #523.

Nancy

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously Named by Nancy’s Hustle

We first sighted Nancy when he/she was still a calf. Nancy started to venture out on his/her own in 2015, and became a fully independent juvenile by the summer of 2016. We often see Nancy hanging out with other young dolphins, including Martin (#72). Bow-riding is one of Nancy's favorite past times!

Nina

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by Ms. Amy Ardington

Nina survived a shark attack at some point during his/her life! You can clearly see the shark bite mark just behind the dorsal fin (a feature that helps us identify him/her). This tough dolphin is regularly seen and has become a favorite of the research team!

Olive

July 2, 2014
Generously named by Marian and Austin Cornelius

We have sighted Olive every year since 2014. He/she is easy to identify by the deep propeller wound on the dorsal fin. Dolphins often get these wounds interacting with recreational motor boats. Luckily, Olive survived the encounter and appears to be a healthy individual. We suspect that Olive is a male, and is often seen with other suspected males, including Island Byron (#48). Check out our Facebook Live video to get a peek of Olive!

Otis

First sighted: July 2, 2014
Generously named by The Prioleau Family in memory of Leon M. Payne, Jr.

We have known Otis (#34) a long time! He has a few prominent notches on his fin that make him easily recognizable. Since 2014, we have seen him frequently throughout the Bay, some times on his own, other times in large groups. He is often found in the Houston Ship Channel where he seemingly enjoys bow-riding! He likes to hang out with Arnold "Arnie" (#211) and his best buddy #210. We highly suspect that Otis is an adult male, but we are hoping to confirm this one day.

Piper

July 20, 2014
Generously named by Wesley Sims.

Piper (#71) is one of our most frequently sighted mommies! She is Martin’s (#72) mother who recently became an independent young adult. We last saw her accompanied by a small calf near Baytown but we need to see her again to confirm that she has a new calf!

Puravida

First sighted: June 3, 2015
Generously named by Becky Roof and Gary Smith in honor of their marriage

Since her first sighting in 2015, our research team has had the pleasure of watching Puravida (#434) raise two calves from newborns (#240 and #732). She is a protective mom that keeps her calves surfacing close by her side. During the summer months, she can often be seen with large mom-calf groups in the nearshore waters between red bluff and eagle point.

Rudy

First sighted: May 16, 2014
Generously named by June Shaw

Rudy is a suspected male and close buddies with Squirt (#1). These two are seen frequently in the upper Bay, spending much of their time following shrimp trawlers in the Bayport Ship Channel and 5 mile cut. They are often seen with Dutch (#10) and Shiner (#225).

Sandy

First sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by Brett Mossman in honor of his mother Dr. Sandra Mossman.

Sandy (#4) is one of the dolphins we have known the longest! She is a mother and had an adorable calf #906 (pictured above) in 2018. And she had another calf born in 2022! They often hang out with other mother/calf pairs in upper Galveston Bay (but also in other areas throughout the Bay). We sometimes see her with adopted dolphin Ducky (#75).

Sir Swimsalot

First sighted: August 11, 2015
Generously named by the Bowen and Brewster Families

Sir Swimsalot (#297) is a presumed male and is seen regularly with his buddy #298. We met both back in 2015 and they continue to be the best of friends. The pair keeps mostly to themselves, but are occasionally seen in small groups with female dolphins.

Shanthi

First sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by St. Thomas' Episcopal School

Shanthi was a frequent visitor to upper bay, often hanging around Morgan's point with suspected juvenile dolphins through summer of 2016. We have not seen Shanthi since then, but are keeping a close eye out to see if he/she moved on to other areas of the Bay.

Sheba

First sighted: August 18, 2015
Generously named by Marian and Austin Cornelius

Sheba (#314) is a photogenic mom and one of the research team’s favorite dolphins! We have known her since 2015 and have met three of her offspring: #451, #873, and a calf born in 2021. #873 was born in 2018 and is now a juvenile but some times still hangs out with mom and her new calf.

Shiner

June 3, 2015
Generously named by Austin Cornelius.

Shiner (#225) is a presumed male that we see almost every season. In fact, Shiner is a year-round resident of upper Galveston Bay and has become our most frequently sighted dolphin! He is almost always seen with Dutch (#10), his close buddy (male's often form long-term bonds that increase fitness and reproductive success). His three distinct notches make Shiner very easy to spot by our research team.

Sophia

August 28, 2013
Generously named by Philip and Denise Bahr in honor of Sophia Pelton.

Sophia was one of our first cataloged dolphins (sighted during the first boat survey)! She is the mother of #219, who started venturing out independently in 2018 when Sophia was sighted with a new calf. With her distinct fin notch, she is easy to spot in the water!

Steve

First sighted: August 28, 2013
Generously named by Michelle Kay in honor of her husband Thomas Kay

We met Steve (#8) on our very first boat survey! As the years have gone by, we have watched his fin change to its current shape. The distinct permanent scar on the lead of his fin has helped us keep track of him despite all the changes. He has been sighted throughout upper and lower Bay and seems to prefer open bay habitat instead of deeper channels. He was last seen in a large group of dolphins that were socializing and following a shrimp trawler. It is very likely he is a male, but we have yet to confirm.

Suri

First sighted: June 3, 2015
Generously named by Marian and Austin Cornelius

Suri (#222) is a young female dolphin that became independent of her mom Delfini (#220) in 2016. We have seen Suri visiting with Delfini (#220) and her younger sibling (#751). In 2020, we saw Suri spending time with our very well-known male dolphins Squirt (#1) and Rudy (#81), and in 2021 we were excited to see Suri with her very first calf! She is now often seen in upper Galveston Bay with mom/calf groups, often including Pepsi (#285) and her calves.

Ted

First sighted: October 15, 2014
Generously named by Noble Energy in honor of Ted Romig.

Ted is the calf of Terry Lynn (#88)! They have always been spotted together in the ship channel! They love to visit a place the researchers have termed the “bus stop”, a popular spot on the ship channel where dolphins appear to hang out waiting for ships so they can bow ride.