Dolphin Research Center

The Dolphin Research Center is a dolphinarium on Grassy Key, Florida. The 90,000-square-foot (8,400 m) series of saltwater lagoons carved out of the shoreline is home to a family of bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions. It features experiences where visitors can learn about marine mammals and the environment and also swim with, hand-signal, or enjoy other interactive programs with the dolphins. It opened in 1958 as Santini's Porpoise School, a roadside attraction owned by Milton Santini, a Corsican dolphin trainer. One of the dolphins, Mitzi, starred in the Flipper movie. The facility became known as Flipper's Sea School after its sale to an entertainment conglomerate in 1972. Five years later, whale conservationist Jean Paul...