DOLPHIN STRANDINGS

LIVE STRANDINGS
The DMMRC Marine Mammal Stranding Center provides temporary or long-term care for various marine mammal species. Animals that can be treated successfully are rehabilitated and released. A staff of 4 marine mammal veterinarians and health care providers with over 60 years of cumulative experience handles the care of stranded animals.

The DMMRC Marine Mammal Stranding Center is part of the Southeast U.S Marine Mammal Stranding Network and is designated to hold live dolphins and whales under National Marine Fisheries Services "Letter of Authorization". Each year, hundreds of whales and dolphins are stranded along Florida's coastlines from causes such as: illness, boat collisions, and foul weather. When a live stranding occurs, the paramount concerns are immediate response and assessment capabilities followed by the actual "water to water" time needed to transport the stranded animal to a care facility. Harbor Branch is prepared to receive these animals and provide immediate critical care. The animals receive continuous medical attention from an experienced team of specialists. Our primary goal is to rehabilitate the animals so that they may be released back into the wild. By caring for these animals we gain a greater understanding of the causes of strandings so that we may prevent them in the future.

FATAL STRANDINGS
As apex predators in many regions, dolphins are an excellent "Indicator" species, yielding essential information as to the health of their environment. In effect, dolphins are barometers of our ocean's waters. The collection of biological data from dead strandings is critical to the management and conservation of wild cetacean populations. This data provides a better understanding of disease, life history, sex and age structure, toxin loads, food requirements, and other essential information. Marine mammal strandings may also provide evidence of fisheries interactions. The stranded animals are often the first indicators of an emerging problem with fishery / marine mammal interactions.