GALVESTON, Texas—The new Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network rehabilitation center has its first patient.
Buc-ee, a bottlenose dolphin who washed ashore on Padre Island National Seashore in Corpus Christi, was rescued and transferred to the new rehab facility in Galveston on December 10.
Buc-ee is believed to be about 7 years old.
Doctors at the TMMSN said Buc-ee is suffering from a severe case of pneumonia and can’t swim on his own.
Volunteers are providing round-the-clock in-water support for Buc-ee and tube feeding him fluids and a fish gruel mixture.
Buc-ee got his name because his transfer took place at a Buc-ee’s gas station in Port Lavaca. The TMMSN said Buc-ee’s provided water for the remainder of the dolphin’s transport.
Buc-ee remained in critical condition Monday.
The TMMSN is a non-profit organization that provides rehabilitation support to stranded marine mammals.
If you’d like to adopt Buc-ee or make a donation toward his care, click here.
