Besides beautiful water, great fishing and cold drinks, the Keys are famous for their resident, celebrity animals. There are numerous educational facilities that harbor animals, many of whom are injured in some way or another and can’t be released to the wild. From owls to Tursi, the dolphin, whose parents starred in the original “Flipper,” these animals have a serious following. Often, visitors check in on them year after year. Of course, locals are fortunate enough to pal around with these guys as part of their job, or see them on a regular basis.
“BUTTON”
Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
“I’m a Button Quail.”
My current mood: A bit peckish, now that you mention it. What’s a bird gotta do to get a mealworm around here?
My Disney princess persona: Snow White — she likes tiny fellas.
My weekends: I roll around in the sand, then chase the lady birds.
My celebrity crush: Woodstock
My astrological sign: What’s that?
Favorite food: Mealworms. Why, you got some? Don’t mind if I do.
Favorite movie: “Fly Away Home.” It’s an aspirational film. We’re not so much with the flying — no tail feathers.
My greatest strength: I’m freakin’ adorable.
My greatest weakness: Hello? Mealworms. Are we gonna keep talking about them, or are we gonna have a snack?
My biggest fan: Arthur at the admission desk. (He wants to put me in his pocket and take me home.)
“BIG GEORGE”
Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, Marathon
“I am a 400-pound Goliath Grouper.”
My current mood: Relaxed
My Disney princess persona: Moana
My weekends: Lounging in the lagoon
My celebrity crush: Dori
My astrological sign: Pisces
Favorite food: Herring
Favorite movie: Jaws
My greatest strength: Patience
My greatest weakness: Also, herring
My biggest fan: Everyone who watches my daily feedings at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.!
“TURSI”
Dolphin Research Center, Grassy Key
“I am a 47-year-old, happy dolphin.”
My current mood: Fabulous
My Disney princess persona: Queen Elinor (mother of Merida in “Brave”)
My weekends: Hanging with guests, teaching our trainers, and joyfully screaming at the height of my jumps.
My celebrity crush: Arnold Schwarzenegger
My astrological sign: Sagittarius
Favorite food: Herring and silversides
Favorite movie: Flipper
My greatest strength: My “can do, as long as it’s my way” dolphinality.
My greatest weakness: I’m considered, ahem, a “senior” dolphin and my eyesight isn’t what it used to be. I am thankful to every volunteer or staff member who comes out and helps shade me with umbrellas.
My biggest fan: Kids and the other baby dolphins, like Jax, that I’ve adopted.
“DINGHY”
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder, Key Largo
“I am Queen of my lagoon.”
My current mood: Namaste
My Disney princess persona: Jasmine
My weekends: Snuggling with my calf, Tug
My celebrity crush: Sean Connery
My astrological sign: Leo
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite movie: Princess Bride
My greatest strength: Teaching all of the new trainers how to be a trainer
My greatest weakness: Being partially blind
My biggest fan: My primary trainer, Kayla
“CASPER”
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, Tavernier
“I am an owl, living my best life.”
My current mood: Zen, I am one with the perch
My Disney princess persona: Sleeping Beauty
My weekends: Sunbathing, dancing, and taking long naps
My celebrity crush: Mr. Owl (the iconic Tootsie Pop celebrity)
My astrological sign: Aquarius
Favorite food: Large rats
Favorite movie: Casper the Friendly Ghost.
My greatest strength: My dancing skills
My greatest weakness: I am missing part of my wing, so I can’t fly.
My biggest fan: The Wild Bird Center interns; they spoil me rotten.
“BUBBLE BUTT”
The Turtle Hospital
“I am an ambassador for marine turtles.”
My current mood: Floaty
My Disney princess persona: Kida (“Atlantis”)
My weekends: chillaxing in the pool with my buds
My celebrity crush: J-Lo
My astrological sign: Cancer
Favorite food: Green peppers
Favorite movie: Finding Nemo
My greatest weakness: My cracked shell and lingering spinal cord damage from a horrible boat strike
My biggest fan: Richie Moretti
