Dolphin attacked by shark

[cdiver2]

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Shark attack dolphin saved

 

[Queen]

That poor little thing! I hope it survives.

 

[amerz]

I'm SURE they will nurse him back to health...

Can you keep us posted?

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Shark attack dolphin saved

 

[cdiver2]

I'm SURE they will nurse him back to health...

Can you keep us posted?

From Tangalooma Island Resort Dolphin Care Team

Dear David,
SeaWorld has forwarded your email on to me and I though I would forward the last update we have sent out to our return guest club.
If you would like a set of photos that I had taken on the first night, please let me know and I will forward them.
Cheers
Trevor Hassard

Dear Tangaclub member,

We thought we would take the opportunity to send out the latest update on Nari, the Tangalooma wild dolphin that has been attached by a large shark out in Moreton Bay that we all care for so much.

Nari came into the dolphin feed on Friday night with a severe shark bite over the top of his head, just above the eyes and behind his blow hole. We took several photos of Nari and sent them urgently to the EPA and Sea World asking for them to review the photos and to assist.

The EPA gave us permission to rescue Nari to assess the wound and make a decision from there.

The SeaWorld Research and Rescue team headed by their Director Trevor Long, travelled all of the way to Tangalooma on Saturday night in their largest rescue vessel, SeaWorld 1. This dedicated team of rescuers left the gold coast at 2pm and arrived at Tangalooma at 630pm.
Nari failed to attend the dolphin feed on that night and the SeaWorld team left for their return journey at 10pm arriving back at SeaWorld around sunup, just in time for their next days work at SeaWorld.

The team came up to Tangalooma again on Sunday night and again Nari failed to arrive.

We were all becoming a little concerned as the SeaWorld senior vet, Dr David Blyde said that this was the most severe bight he had seen on a living dolphin.

On Monday night the whole process was again repeated with the SeaWorld rescue team arriving in the SeaWorld 2 rib rescue vessel.

Much to our relief, Nari came in on this night and the Tangalooma and SeaWorld teams commenced a rescue. Nari was caught and taken up on the beach in a purpose built stretcher and assessed by Dr Blyde. Due to the severity of the wound it was decided that Nari's best chance of survival would be at SeaWorld under constant vetinary care.
Nari was then loaded into the SeaWorld 2 rescue vessel for the journey back to SeaWorld. As SeaWorld 2 is faster than SeaWorld 1, it only took 3hrs.
The combined team on the vessel constantly monitored Nari under the direction of Dr Blyde for the whole journey.

Nari was then taken to the vet centre for further care.
The wound was cleaned up, the excess dead flesh and blubber has been trimmed and removed and the bight looks a lot better thanks to the SeaWorld Vet team.

The photo is of Susan, our Dolphin Care Team Supervisor at SeaWorld. Susan is feeding Nari in the quarantine tank at the Sea World Vet centre and has been successful in persuading Nari to take his first fish since his lifesaving operation yesterday.

Nari will be released back into Moreton Bay with his family group (pod) at Tangalooma Island Resort in around 3 to 4 weeks.

There is some excellent unedited video footage available on the Ch10, Ch9 and Ch7 web sites of Nari's rescue and arrival at SeaWorld.

You can also find further information on the Tangalooma website at www.tangaloma.com and the SeaWorld website.

Kind regards,

Trevor Hassard
Director
Tangalooma Island Resort Dolphin Care Team

Photo From Wendy Morgan Sea World

 

[cdiver2]

From Wendy Morgan Sea World






MEDIA RELEASE
18 February 2009

Nari recovering well at Sea World

ůari the dolphin is recovering well at Sea World.

The 12 year old male dolphin, which was injured by a severe shark bite, underwent surgery yesterday (Tuesday 17 February) at Sea World, following his rescue at Tangalooma on Monday evening.

One of TangaloomaÃÔ provisioned dolphins, Nari was spotted with the injuries on Friday night when he came in for the eveningÃÔ feeding session at the resort.

Trevor Hassard Director of the Tangalooma Island Resort said that Nari was still able to eat his quota of fish during the feeding session but his behaviour was more passive than normal and he appeared unable to hunt for himself.

The Sea World Research and Rescue team were contacted by the resort to assist, and were deployed to Tangalooma on Saturday night to assess NariÃÔ health and possibly undertake a rescue attempt.

Nari however did not attend the feeding on Saturday or Sunday evening and staff feared that he may have succumbed to his injuries.

However, after much anticipation, Nari arrived on Monday evening for the nightly feeding and was rescued in a joint initiative between Tangalooma and Sea World.

Tangalooma Island ResortÃÔ Director, Trevor Hassard was thrilled to see the injured dolphin and was relieved that he was rescued.

Å´ea World is extremely well set up to handle these sorts of rescues. Nari suffered a very serious shark wound that could have been fatal if not treated he said.

Nari was transported back to Sea World on Monday evening and underwent surgery at the Sea World Veterinary Quarantine Centre on Tuesday afternoon.

Sea World Director of Marine Sciences, Trevor Long said that the Sea World team used a combination of regional and local anaesthetic to remove dead flesh from NariÃÔ wound. The surgery took one hour and was a success.

Ÿe are extremely pleased with NariÃÔ progress and are feeling very positive about his recovery.

ŵhis morning Nari began eating voluntarily, and is exhibiting encouraging behaviour which is a very good sign he said.

Nari is currently residing in the Sea World Quarantine Pool and will remain here for the next 4-8 weeks where he will be treated daily with antibiotics. He may also require further surgery to remove dead skin as he heals.

It is hoped that Nari will make a full recovery and will be fit for release back into the wild in coming months.

Nari previously met the Sea World Research and Rescue team in 2008 when he was rescued from an entanglement in fishing line.

The Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to funding and promoting independent marine research projects. Through research and rescue activities, the Foundation aims to help build our knowledge and appreciation of the wondrous variety of life in our oceans.
The Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc (SWRRFI) has been a major benefactor of marine research in Australia since incorporation in 1991.
The Foundation seeks to encourage and assist marine sciences and to date has supported over 120 research projects relating to aspects of the biology of marine vertebrates and considers applications from both the private and public sectors.

Further information:
Wendy Morgan
Senior Brand Manager
Warner Village Theme Parks

 

[cdiver2]

From Trevor Hassard
Director
Tangalooma Island Resort Dolphin Care Team

 

[samaka]

To be honest I could not care less for that dolphin. The amount of man hours and money it takes to get it back to health could definitely be spent wiser. The same goes for that Orca Keiko. Grain them down to cat food and use the funds on something important instead, maybe a save the shark project?

.....a.....

 

[cdiver2]

To be honest I could not care less for that dolphin. The amount of man hours and money it takes to get it back to health could definitely be spent wiser. The same goes for that Orca Keiko. Grain them down to cat food and use the funds on something important instead, maybe a save the shark project?

.....a.....

I do agree that the sharks should be protected, however I think as the most intelligent species on this planet we should do whatever we can to protect all animals/marine life not just one. Therefore I can not condemn people that do more than there bit to protect all species.

As sharks are your passion maybe you could start a save the shark project? I may even donate to it, if it ever gets of the ground.

 

[Queen]

Thanks for the updates. Hope the little fella makes it.

 

[amerz]

Thanks for the updates!

I TOTALLY agree with you, I too feel they are incredible creatures....

THANK GOD that certain people have chosen a career in which they get paid to take care of these animals.....

NOT UNECESSARY funding as some would like to think!