“It’s amazing to see her have a second chance at life,” Gulf World spokeswoman Sam Tuno said.

PANAMA CITY BEACH — The year-old dolphin that washed ashore on Okaloosa Island during Hurricane Nate has found a permanent home at Gulf World Marine Park.

Last week, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) deemed Samira, as she now is known, non-releasable because of her young age and mother dependency. Gulf World, where staff has been caring for her for 10 weeks, is to be her permanent home.

“It’s amazing to see her have a second chance at life,” Gulf World spokeswoman Sam Tuno said. “Our goal is always to release the animal, but in her case she wouldn’t have survived.”

In the wild, Samira still would be learning to hunt by her mother’s side. Since she was brought to Gulf World, she has started eating small amounts of fish but isn’t yet ready to hunt on her own.

During the 10-week rehabilitation period, Samira had to be kept in quarantine, but now staff is starting to introduce her to the rest of the dolphins at the park, including her new family.

Samira likely will be paired with Soleil, an almost two-year-old dolphin who was born at Gulf World, and her mom Angel.

“They’ll be like sisters,” Tuno said.

Samira, who Gulf World staff members describe as spunky but pleasant company, also will start to learn husbandry behaviors.

How and why Samira became stranded on the beach is unknown. She was found Oct. 8 washed up on shore by the dune line by two beachgoers looking for shells on Princess Beach. When help arrived, the rescuers said it looked like the young dolphin had become exhausted fighting the rip currents.

Her young age made it highly unlikely she should be released based on standards set by NOAA.

The beachgoers who called for help likely saved Samira’s life. If you see a sick or stranded animal, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-3922 or #FWC or the GWMI stranding line at 850-258-6968.