cdiver2
Contributor
Rescue mission
Monday, July 18, 2005
The dolphins are being kept in an observation pool.
Two new patients have just been brought to the Dolphin and Whale Hospital at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, and animal workers are doing everything they can to keep them alive.
The dolphins are being kept in an observation pool, far from where they were found 100 miles off Marco Island's coast. The rarely seen Risso's Dolphins stranded themselves this past weekend.
The last time Mote scientists dealt with a stranding was in March when dozens of dolphins beached themselves in the Florida Keys and were treated at Mote. All but three of those dolphins died, with a nuclear-powered submarine possibly being responsible.
"It's frustrating, trying to solve a mystery," said veterinarian Lynn Byrd. "It's trying to figure out a puzzle."
Byrd is trying to feed the dolphins squid to keep them alive.
"They're flighty," said Byrd. "They don't want anything to do with us. If we approach them, they try to avoid us."
Bonnie and Clyde, as they're now being called, were found with three other dolphins that did not survive. Scientists haven't ruled out red tide; necropsy results should give them the answers they're looking for.
"We've been able to necropsy one of the animals," said Mote Spokesperson Nadine Slimak. "There were nematoid worms in the animal's sinus cavity. We don't know if that played a role in the stranding."
Dozens of dolphins beached themselves in the Florida Keys earlier this year.
Animal workers say it costs about $1,000 a day to care for the two dolphins. They're hoping to rehab and release them this month.
"It's important to show our younger kids and adults we must get these animals back to their environment since we take so much from the environment," said Byrd.
If and when the dolphins are released into the wild, they will be equipped with an electronic tracking device. The device, which is active for about three months, would be attached to the dolphins' dorsal fin with a suction cup.
Monday, July 18, 2005
The dolphins are being kept in an observation pool.
Two new patients have just been brought to the Dolphin and Whale Hospital at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, and animal workers are doing everything they can to keep them alive.
The dolphins are being kept in an observation pool, far from where they were found 100 miles off Marco Island's coast. The rarely seen Risso's Dolphins stranded themselves this past weekend.
The last time Mote scientists dealt with a stranding was in March when dozens of dolphins beached themselves in the Florida Keys and were treated at Mote. All but three of those dolphins died, with a nuclear-powered submarine possibly being responsible.
"It's frustrating, trying to solve a mystery," said veterinarian Lynn Byrd. "It's trying to figure out a puzzle."
Byrd is trying to feed the dolphins squid to keep them alive.
"They're flighty," said Byrd. "They don't want anything to do with us. If we approach them, they try to avoid us."
Bonnie and Clyde, as they're now being called, were found with three other dolphins that did not survive. Scientists haven't ruled out red tide; necropsy results should give them the answers they're looking for.
"We've been able to necropsy one of the animals," said Mote Spokesperson Nadine Slimak. "There were nematoid worms in the animal's sinus cavity. We don't know if that played a role in the stranding."
Dozens of dolphins beached themselves in the Florida Keys earlier this year.
Animal workers say it costs about $1,000 a day to care for the two dolphins. They're hoping to rehab and release them this month.
"It's important to show our younger kids and adults we must get these animals back to their environment since we take so much from the environment," said Byrd.
If and when the dolphins are released into the wild, they will be equipped with an electronic tracking device. The device, which is active for about three months, would be attached to the dolphins' dorsal fin with a suction cup.
