Rufus Comes to Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Sure, the rescue and rehabilitation work the does for waterborne animals is well known.

But they also have been fowl friendly for years.

And , played by Lucy and Ricky, two separate African Great White Pelicans in the movie Dolphin Tale, they will once again care for at least two birds. A welcome party was Friday at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

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When David Yates first came to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as its president, Alex, a brown pelican, used to roam the hallways. Many employees and visitors befriended him, Yates said.

Alex now is at the Florida Aquarium, Yates said. There had to be a way to add that element, that character, into Dolphin Tale, Yates said when crews first came to start production of the movie.

That is kind of how Rufus came to be. And, aside from Winter, happened to become one of the most popular characters in the movie.

“Sometimes (visitors) ask about Rufus before they ask about Winter,” Yates said.

Anna Cratty, 16, came down from Michigan to see Winter with her mother Michelle and Grandmother Maureen Cosgrove.

She is a fan of the movie Dolphin Tale, and while she says her favorite part of the movie is when Sawyer and Winter swim, she admits Rufus had some memorable scenes too, like his chasing antics.

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Ricky and Lucy, named like the famous comedy couple, will split time at , the downtown attraction in the second floor of the Harborview Center, Yates said. There will be a for them there as well as one at the Island Estates venue.

Discussions about keeping the pelicans heated up about six months ago, shortly after the release of Dolphin Tale, Yates said. The aquarium bought the pelicans from a company that leased them for movie and other roles, he said. The birds also were featured in the Adam Sandler movie You Don't Mess With the Zohan, so the 2,500 expected visitors Friday should not be too jarring. Yates, said the aquarium got a good deal on the birds, but did not say how much they cost.

Yates said many of the staff missed having them around after filming wrapped.

Lucy and Ricky, who are about seven years old, will be with the aquarium for decades, as that type of pelican lives up to 60 years.

“We always wanted to bring them back here,” Yates said.