Tursi

Tursi resides at the Dolphin Research Center, which is a renowned marine mammal education and research facility located in Grassy Key, Florida. The facility is famous for its open-water lagoons and interactive public programs.

Tursi is an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, a species scientifically known as *Tursiops truncatus*. Her name is actually a direct, affectionate nod to the first part of her scientific genus name, *Tursiops*.

She serves as a longstanding educational animal ambassador, helping to teach visitors about marine mammal intelligence and natural behaviors. Through public demonstrations, she actively participates in cognitive research and interactive programs.

The Dolphin Research Center has pioneered studies on dolphin language comprehension and cognitive abilities, and resident dolphins like Tursi routinely participate in these non-invasive behavioral studies. The facility famously conducts research on how dolphins understand concepts like mimicry and numerical sequencing.