...When Dr. Moby Solangi announced in December 2004 that he was building
a new marine mammal research center in Gulfport, the event was significant
enough to bring out area dignitaries and the press.
...At the time of the announcement, Solangi ran the nearly 50-year-old Marine
Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, and was well known for his work with dolphins
and other aquatic life.
...Little did Solangi know that nine month after the announcement, everything
would change. In August 2005 Hurricane Katrina pounded South Mississippi
and left death and destruction in its wake. One of the casualties was Marine
Life.
...Like others from South Mississippi, Solangi knew giving up wasn’t an
option.
...“We didn’t have time to think,” said Solangi. “We were busy looking for
some of the dolphins that were swept away in the storm. For a month or two
we were on hyperdrive.”
...And that wasn’t the last setback Solangi would suffer. Before the end of the
year the majority owner of Marine Life removed Solangi from his position in a
disagreement over the fate of the animals that had been saved.
...But today life looks a lot brighter than it did at the end of 2005. Despite the
setback, the $6 million, marine mammal research center is moving rapidly
towards completion, with all five buildings nearly finished and a ribbon cutting
expected in October.
...Solangi received his Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1980. Four years later he founded the Institute for
Marine Mammal Studies, where he is president and executive director.
...IMMS is a non-profit dedicated to the understanding of marine life through
research, education, conservation and innovation. Its mission is to support
research regarding marine mammals and the environments in which they live
to better understand the role and responsibility humans have in the
management of marine mammals both under human care and in the wild.
...Solangi has conducted research on dolphins both in the wild and in captivity.
His research experience includes work in pathobiology, disease diagnoses and
control, aquaculture, water-quality management, marine ecology, and marine
mammal behavior, husbandry and veterinary care. He has supervised graduate
students conducting research on marine mammals.
...After Katrina, Solangi was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on
Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. That he moved forward on building the
center is indicative not only of his own resolve, but of the resolve of his fellow
South Mississippians.
...The Center for Marine Education and Research includes five buildings
totaling 26,000 square feet.
...One of the more notable features is a direct result of the lessons learned
from Hurricane Katrina. The lot itself has been elevated so all the buildings
are now at least four feet above the high water mark of Katrina.
...Solangi’s office is in the 5,000 square foot administration building, which
also houses facilities for graduate students. The nearby 4,000 square-foot
auditorium/multimedia center will be used for presentations for student visitors.
...Next to that is the 4,000 square-foot museum, which will be adorned with
models of some of the marine life cared for at the facility. Next to that is the
7,000 square foot animal care building, which includes food preparation
facilities, pools, life support systems and a security room. The largest outdoor
pool is 125 feet long, 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep.
...The veterinary hospital is about 5,000 square feet. It will have room for
personnel from Mississippi State University. Next is the 1,000 square foot
necropsy building. The facility even has an outside incinerator to handle the
disposal of remains. - David Tortorano, Tcp
October 2008
a new marine mammal research center in Gulfport, the event was significant
enough to bring out area dignitaries and the press.
...At the time of the announcement, Solangi ran the nearly 50-year-old Marine
Life Oceanarium in Gulfport, and was well known for his work with dolphins
and other aquatic life.
...Little did Solangi know that nine month after the announcement, everything
would change. In August 2005 Hurricane Katrina pounded South Mississippi
and left death and destruction in its wake. One of the casualties was Marine
Life.
...Like others from South Mississippi, Solangi knew giving up wasn’t an
option.
...“We didn’t have time to think,” said Solangi. “We were busy looking for
some of the dolphins that were swept away in the storm. For a month or two
we were on hyperdrive.”
...And that wasn’t the last setback Solangi would suffer. Before the end of the
year the majority owner of Marine Life removed Solangi from his position in a
disagreement over the fate of the animals that had been saved.
...But today life looks a lot brighter than it did at the end of 2005. Despite the
setback, the $6 million, marine mammal research center is moving rapidly
towards completion, with all five buildings nearly finished and a ribbon cutting
expected in October.
...Solangi received his Ph.D. in marine biology from the University of
Southern Mississippi in 1980. Four years later he founded the Institute for
Marine Mammal Studies, where he is president and executive director.
...IMMS is a non-profit dedicated to the understanding of marine life through
research, education, conservation and innovation. Its mission is to support
research regarding marine mammals and the environments in which they live
to better understand the role and responsibility humans have in the
management of marine mammals both under human care and in the wild.
...Solangi has conducted research on dolphins both in the wild and in captivity.
His research experience includes work in pathobiology, disease diagnoses and
control, aquaculture, water-quality management, marine ecology, and marine
mammal behavior, husbandry and veterinary care. He has supervised graduate
students conducting research on marine mammals.
...After Katrina, Solangi was appointed to the Governor’s Commission on
Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. That he moved forward on building the
center is indicative not only of his own resolve, but of the resolve of his fellow
South Mississippians.
...The Center for Marine Education and Research includes five buildings
totaling 26,000 square feet.
...One of the more notable features is a direct result of the lessons learned
from Hurricane Katrina. The lot itself has been elevated so all the buildings
are now at least four feet above the high water mark of Katrina.
...Solangi’s office is in the 5,000 square foot administration building, which
also houses facilities for graduate students. The nearby 4,000 square-foot
auditorium/multimedia center will be used for presentations for student visitors.
...Next to that is the 4,000 square-foot museum, which will be adorned with
models of some of the marine life cared for at the facility. Next to that is the
7,000 square foot animal care building, which includes food preparation
facilities, pools, life support systems and a security room. The largest outdoor
pool is 125 feet long, 60 feet wide and 12 feet deep.
...The veterinary hospital is about 5,000 square feet. It will have room for
personnel from Mississippi State University. Next is the 1,000 square foot
necropsy building. The facility even has an outside incinerator to handle the
disposal of remains. - David Tortorano, Tcp
October 2008
Back from the abyss
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |