Baby Stenella Dolphin (Stenella clymene) rescued from Flagler Beach transported to Harbor Branch's Marine Mammal Emergency Care Center FT. PIERCE, FL — On Monday afternoon, a beached baby dolphin (later identified as a "sub-adult" or 1-year-old female) was taken to a local fire station in Flagler County where concerned citizens and fire department staff set up a small kiddie pool for the animal until Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Field Biologist Anne Spellman arrived on the scene. Spellman, together with DEP Specialist Jamie Smith assessed the condition and health of the dolphin and then quickly transported the animal to Melbourne Beach where they were met by animal care specialists from Sea World (Orlando). National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, Ms. Blair Mase, coordinated this effort and directed the animal be taken to the Harbor Branch Marine Mammal Emergency Care facility. (As the Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator, Mase is responsible for overseeing the entire rescue operation). Upon arrival in Fort Pierce, initial medical evaluations were conducted and blood samples drawn in an effort to better gage the condition and health of the dolphin. Robin Friday, President of Wildlife International Network (WIN), an individual with 19 years of marine mammal care experience, is working together with the Harbor Branch dolphin research program staff to administer critical care and give this young dolphin the best chance for survival. Dr. Deke Busse, a noted marine mammal veterinarian, has also been called in to consult on the animal’s condition and to prescribe further treatment. Dr. Busse’s initial prognosis for the dolphin is "grave". Harbor Branch is proud to be a part of this outstanding effort to protect and preserve these marine mammals," remarked Dolphin Program Director Steve McCulloch. What can the public do to help? If a marine mammal is sighted, immediately call the Florida Marine Patrol at (800) DIAL FMP. The public can also support the all-volunteer marine mammal stranding network that responds to marine mammal strandings throughout the State by purchasing a "Protect Wild Dolphins" specialty license plate which are expected to go on sale at your local county auto tag agency in April 1999. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Inc. is one of the world’s premier not-for-profit marine research facilities, dedicated to the exploration of the world’s oceans, estuaries and coastal regions and to the ecologically sound management of the earth’s marine resources.