Dolphin Quest reached for the sky yesterday in the search for its missing animals.

Volunteer Angela Ambrosini of St. George's Parasail spent five hours in the air looking for adult male Gibbs and adult female Dolber.

The bid follows a similar effort by Skyrider the day before.

Ms Ambrosini surveyed St. George's, the Great Sound, and towards North Rock as well as taking in the South Shore.

She said: "You get an excellent view but unfortunately we had no luck.'' Dolphin Quest spokesman Chris Heslop said there had been several unconfirmed sightings around Church Bay in Warwick and Elbow Beach in Paget.

Neither of the missing pair is owned by Dolphin Quest, but its handling of the situation has received the thumbs up by owners the Chicago Zoological Society who visited this weekend.

Search for dolphins takes to the air Greg Gdye, collection manager of the marine mammal programme of the Chicago Zoological Society, left Bermuda yesterday after he was satisfied that the four dolphins, who ventured out of their cove at South Shore, Southampton, during Hurricane Gert, are all in good health.

"I came down to assess what has taken place and to help,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"I helped spot the animals and went out on the boat to assess their health. I am very satisfied with their health and that all is being done in their best interest.'' Supporting Dolphin Quest's decision not to move the four dolphins just prior to Hurricane Gert, Mr. Gdye said: "We don't feel there is any fault to be laid anywhere.

"We were in contact constantly with the Dolphin Quest programme in Bermuda even from when the storm was approaching.

"We had many discussions and supported them in every decision they made along the way. Everything was done with the best interest of the animals in mind.'' Two of the four dolphins who took to open water during the hurricane were guided back to the Dolphin Quest cove at Southampton Princess Hotel last Sunday.

Cirrus and her baby calf were coaxed back home by their trainers who went out in a boat Sunday afternoon and swam with them.

"It was obvious that the animals recognised their trainers and they were very comfortable `bow riding' back to the cove,'' said Mr. Gdye.

`Bow riding' is when the dolphins stay at the bow of the boat and ride the waves.

If you spot a dolphin, call 239-6957 with the time and location.

Reason to celebrate: Dolphin Quest trainer Patrick McLain greeted mother Cirrus, who returned to the South Shore facility with her three-month old calf on Sunday. Staff meanwhile continued to search Bermuda waters yesterday, taking to the air via parasail to spot two adults still missing.

SEA