DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050 www.dolphins.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit corporation specializing in education and research. DRC is a tax-exempt organization, and as such, all donations, monetary or otherwise, are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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THANK YOU!

The Florida Keys are beautiful, but the salt water and hot sun are tough on equipment.

Wish List Items Needed

• Paddleboard - $650.00 • Foam Pads (2) - $520.00 • Waterproof Gear Bags (2) - $200.00 • Net Bucket - $1500.00

Animal rescue requires specialized equipment to not only increase our chances for success, but also to help us operate with the utmost safety for the team as well as the manatees. We could not do these rescue missions without your generous assistance . You may donate money for these specific items, or make a general donation to the Dolphin Research Center Manatee Rescue Team. For more information, contact the Membership Department at 305-289-1121, ext. 229, or email drc-mbr@dolphins.org!

provided adequate nutrition in the milk of sea lion mothers supporting pups or for newly-weaned pups foraging on their own. As a facility that is dedicated to education about marine mammals and ocean conservation, it’s important for us to keep up with what is happening to our flippered friends all over the globe. What may not impact us today, has the potential to throw off the natural alignment of the ecosystems and food chain. It’s important to be aware of our actions and the possible issues they may cause to marine mammals and other ocean life. If you see any marine mammals that may need assistance, please call your local marine mammal stranding network.

By Vanessa Collins

References:

2013-2014 Bottlenose Dolphin Unusual Mortality Event in the Mid-Atlantic. :: NOAA Fisheries. NOAA FIsheries, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 17 June 2014. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/midatldolphins2013.html 2013 Bottlenose Dolphin Unusual Mortality Event in Florida. (2014, January 1). :: NOAA Fisheries. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/floridadolphins2013.html 2013 California Sea Lion Unusual Mortality Event in California. (2014, January 1). :: NOAA Fisheries. Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/californiasealions2013.htm FAQs on the California Sea Lion UME in California. :: NOAA Fisheries. NOAA Fisheries, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 17 June 2014. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/casealion2013.htm Lendon, B., Todd, B., & McConnell, D. (2013, January 1). Dolphins dying by the dozens along East Coast. . Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/20/us/dolphins-dying/ Morbillivirus infection in dolphins, porpoises, and whales. (2013, January 1). . Retrieved June 10, 2014, from http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/midatlantic2013/morbillivirus_factsheet2013.pdf

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DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050

www.dolphins.org

The Gray Cross A Quarterly Publication of DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

Volume 17, Number 2 2014

Dolphins and Sea Lions at Risk!

Dugong: Cousin to the Manatee

In this photo, you can see the dolphin and whale-like tail flukes a

dugong sports. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Last year was marked by two severe Unusual Mortality Events (UME) for aquatic life. Up and down the east coast of the United States, hundreds of dolphins stranded due to morbillivirus, a dangerous, often fatal, disease. Meanwhile on the West Coast, hundreds of California sea lion pups showed up on shore dehydrated and significantly underweight for their age. As a facility that cares deeply for marine mammal conservation, we monitor the health of wild counterparts as much as we do our own family members. On the East Coast of the United States, dozens of dolphin carcasses began to wash ashore during the summer. According to the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA), between July 1st, 2013 and May 18th, 2014, 1,283 dolphins were accounted for in strandings. Many were found to have lesions in their lungs. Based on preliminary diagnostics and testing, the tentative cause of the UME is cetacean morbillivirus, a group of viruses similar to measles in humans or distemper in dogs. The virus can be carried on clothing of humans who have been in recent contact with cetaceans. As the epidemic spread from New York as far south as Brevard County, Florida, DRC began to ask guests if they’d been near or assisted any stranded wild dolphins or whales. If so, they would not be able to interact

Two years ago I visited a place I’d always dreamed of, Australia. My friends, who know I have a fascination with marine life, were ecstatic to take me to the aquarium. As we got to the dugong habitat, my pals from down under insisted we had them in the United States but my mind completely drew a blank. I had never heard of this creature. Then they took me to their habitat and I saw an animal that looked somewhat like a marine mammal I recognized but definitely had never seen before. Manatees and dugongs are “cousins” of sorts in that both belong to the scientific order Sirenia. Dugongs are “sea cows” that populate the shallow, turbid waters from East Africa to Australia. Unlike manatees who can be found in brackish water, salt water and even sometimes in fresh water, they spend their entire lives in salt water and are extremely social. Once they find an area with a sea bed able to sustain them, dugongs inhabit a single range for most of their lives in large groups. The dugong has a tail that resembles a dolphin’s with a split fluke and slightly concave trailing edge. However, it’s not just the resemblance of their tail that they have in common with dolphins.

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Stranded during the Deep Horizon Oil Spill, Louie is an

ambassador for his wild counterparts. (Photo by Arielle Valle)

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THE GRAY CROSS

Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to a better understanding of marine mammals and the environment we share. DRC is home to a colony of dolphins and sea lions where we conduct innovative research and offer many interactive, educational programs. Beyond our lagoons, we are the only private organization in the Florida Keys licensed to respond to manatees in distress. We are actively involved in our community providing outreach presentations on a variety of conservation subjects. The Gray Cross evolved from our work with stranded marine mammals. DRC’s critical care program is world renowned. Our experience with dolphins, whales and sea lions is used to help the endangered Florida Manatee. DRC has also participated in rescue and release of endangered sea turtles. As a not-for-profit organization, contributions to DRC are welcomed and tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information, visit our website at www.dolphins.org, call (305) 289-1121 extension 229 or send an email to drc-mbr@dolphins.org.

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with our DRC family of dolphins. In DRC’s home state of Florida, the year also saw an elevated amount of dolphin strandings in the Indian River Lagoon system. There is no definitive cause for these strandings, however the dolphins were found extremely emaciated. As part of the UME investigation process, an independent team of scientists was assembled to coordinate with the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events to review data and determine the next steps. As of today, the causes are still not identified for the Indian River issues. Many tests are still being done to help determine the reason behind this breakout and to see if it is connected to the East Coast unusual mortality event. Meanwhile, the West Coast was slammed by a record number of California

Sea Lion strandings. Between January 1st, 2013 and March 31st, 2013, 1292 pups were found emaciated, dehydrated, starving and in need of human intervention. Many stranded at between six months and nine months of age when they were still dependent on their mothers and unable to properly forage for themselves. Baffled by the misplaced sea lion pups, animal rescue facilities declared a state of emergency and asked the public for funds and volunteers to help. Rehabilitation centers were overrun by the

number of pups needing assistance. Approximately 50% were rehabilitated and later released. A far smaller number were rehomed to marine mammal facilities. Unfortunately, many others did not survive. As we know with our very own Lina, who stranded in 2010 (she was not part of the 2013 UME), the relocated pups can do quite well in their new homes. Scientists who studied the crisis believe that the event was due to inadequate food supply. Sardines, a high value food source for nursing mothers, shifted their spawning grounds further offshore in 2012 and 2013. While other prey were available (market squid and rockfish), these may not have

Unable to take care of herself, the government deemed Lina

unreleasable and she found her forever home at

Dolphin Research Center. (Photo by Visual Communications

Staff)

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We continue to ask guests if they’ve been near stranded animals so we

know if it’s safe for them to be near the DRC dolphins. (Photo by Visual

Communications Staff)

Yes! I would like to make a contribution to Dolphin Research Center’s Manatee Rescue Team and their efforts to save an endangered species. __$10 $15 $25 $35 $50 Other $ Donations can be mailed to DRC, 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050,

made online at www.dolphins.org or faxed to (305) 743-7627. Thank you!

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________

City: ____________________ State: ____ Zip: _________ Country: _____________

Type of Payment: (Please make checks payable to Dolphin Research Center.)

___ Check (US Funds) ____ Money Order (US Funds)

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Signature of Cardholder: ________________________________________________

For more information about the Gray Cross and Dolphin Research Center, call 305-289-1121 extension 229. SC# NSC1406

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A fun fact many of DRC’s guests find fascinating is how we can tell the age of a dolphin. Each year, their teeth grow a new layer of enamel which creates rings, like a tree. Dugongs share this interesting characteristic. Their incisors grow a new layer every year. Through this, scientists have determined that the oldest of their species have lived into their 70s! Manatees have no natural predator, but dugongs fall prey to larger and faster marine life. Sharks, saltwater crocodiles and killer whales are a danger to the mammal, especially the young calves. Unfortunately, there are additional environmental impacts. Incidental capture in fishing gear, boat strikes, illegal hunting, poor water quality from pesticides and the loss of sea grass beds all endanger the species. Although dugongs and manatees live in different parts of the world, both of their populations are endangered. In Australia, dugongs are protected under the Australian Government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. However, hunting dugongs is considered a traditional cultural activity for many indigenous coastal people throughout the world. Organizations are trying very hard to protect remaining dugongs. Indigenous communities collaborate with the government agencies and scientists to develop and maintain community-based management for sustainable hunting. There are campaigns to reduce coastal development and increase habitat protection in feeding and breeding areas. Unacceptable risks to people and wildlife have resulted in a movement working towards the ban of key pesticides that contaminate waterways and marine areas. As cousins of the manatee, dugongs face many of the same risks as our own flippered friends. It’s important to keep up about

their wellbeing just as much as we do about the Florida manatee. Whether this is the first time you have heard about dugongs or you’ve taken an interest in them before, please continue to educate yourself about these unique creatures. They may be on the other side of the Earth, but they’re an important part of marine life.

By Vanessa Collins

References: "Dugongs." Department of the Environment. Commonwealth of Australia, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2014. Macdonald, N. 2011. "Dugong dugon" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January 17, 2014 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Dugong_dugon/ Reynolds, John Elliott, and Daniel K. Odell. Manatees and

Dugongs. New York: Facts on File, 1991. Print. "Threats to Dugongs." Wwf. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2014.

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DOLPHIN, WHALE, MANATEE, OR

TURTLE IN DISTRESS

Call 1-888-404-FWCC

Information brought to you by

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

www.dolphins.org

Licensed Manatee Rescue Team for the Florida Keys