The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (“IMMS”) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1984 for the purposes of public education, conservation, and research on marine mammals in the wild and under human care. Located in Gulfport, Mississippi, IMMS has been an active participant of the National Stranding Network since its inception. IMMS is the premier stranding organization in the Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama region of the Gulf Coast with the capability and expertise to care for sick and injured marine mammals. IMMS serves as an important educational outlet for the Mississippi Gulf Coast, incorporating programs for conservation, education and research of marine mammals and their environment.
We were able to book on-line for the 1.30pm tour, cost $10 per person.
Firstly, we were taken into the auditorium to listen to 'Skipper', our tour guide who explained the mission of IMMS and their work especially with helping sick and/or injured marine mammals. A large number of people are volunteers who are available 24/7. They sound like passionate people who love their coastal environment. Of course, the hurricanes of recent times, especially Katrina in 2005, have had a huge impact on the gulf waters. We also were unaware that in 2012, the availability of food for the sea lion colonies was extremely limited, forcing many mother sea lions to abandon their babies. The IMMS retrieved many babies and nursed them, let them go and some became stranded again. One baby, now at the centre, named Katie, became stranded 5 times so they decided that she should live permanently at the institute. She is extremely gorgeous!
They also care for injured birds and we met Daisy, a white & pink coloured cockatoo who has worked with her trainer to show some awesome behaviours. Next, we went into a room full of tanks and touch pools where we could see an albino catfish, a blue crab, a horseshoe crab, stingrays, snakes, baby turtles, brown bamboo banded sharks and my favourite, hermit crabs!
Skipper showed us his 'baby girl' - an albino Californian corn snake (named because their belly markings resemble a corn kernel) and he offered the kids a chance to pet her.
He took us outside to the dolphin pools - so exciting! They care for 3 retired navy dolphins and a couple of stranded ones. They have to be exercised and that is part of the training with behaviours. A couple of the kids were invited to feed them. A limited amount of opportunities exist each day for visitors to book a one-on-one experience with the dolphins, unfortunately, they were all booked out. But we enjoyed seeing the dolphins none-the-less!
Katie, the sea lion...
Having finished at the IMMS, we went for a drive around town and then back to the hotel. We asked the clerk if he could recommend a good place for dinner? He referred us to the 'Half Shell Oyster House' on the shores of Gulfport. We only had a short drive down to the town centre, not far from the gulf waters. We had a delicious meal!
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