2008 Volume 3 Issue 2 Center for Marine Education and Research

,
Summer 2008, Volume 3, Issue 2
Summer
Summer 2008,
2007, Volume
Volume 3,
2, Issue
Issue 2
Inside this issue:
Countdown Begins
1-2
End of 2008
Stranding Season
2-4
Human Interaction/
Stranding Workshop
4
Take Pride in the Tide
5
Get Involved
6
Kidz Zone
Insert
Who We Are and
Contact Information
Insert
Countdown Begins!
View from the front of the Center for Marine Education and Research
The IMMS Center for Marine Education and Research is almost
complete! Soon we will be welcoming visitors to our state of the art
facility that will include an Animal Hospital, Necropsy Building,
Administration Building, Multimedia Classroom, Museum, and Marine
Mammal Rehabilitation Area. The progress in the past few months has
been amazing.
Did you know?
*Dolphins have 80-100 very
sharp teeth in their mouth.
Humans have two sets of teeth,
whereas dolphins only have
one set of teeth their entire
lives.
*Dolphins can hold their breath
for about 10 minutes on
average. Typically, though, they
breathe about 4-5 times each
minute.
*Dolphins use echolocation to
navigate and hunt, bouncing
high-pitched sounds off of
objects, and listening for the
echoes.
The IMMS staff has seen the museum and adjoining 200-seat
classroom start out as a concrete slab and grow into an impressive
6,000 sq. ft. structure with 20 ft. ceilings at the highest point.
Windows have been installed in all the buildings, brick facing has been
added to accent the outer walls of many buildings, drywall is being
installed in the interior of all of the buildings, and some of these areas
even have paint on the walls. Electrical wiring, lighting, and ductwork
have been installed in all the structures as well. Ceiling framework and
ceiling tiles have been installed in the Fish House, Animal Hospital, and
Administration buildings and air conditioning is actually running in the
Necropsy building and Animal Hospital! The addition of concrete around
the pools has been very exciting and walkways are taking shape
throughout the facility’s campus. We are anxiously awaiting the
installation of internal fixtures such as cabinets, work surfaces, and
sinks, as well as the addition of landscaping and the paving of Dolphin
Lane.
© 2008 Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
(cont.)
· Page 1 ·
(cont.)
Summer 2008, Volume 3, Issue 2
We are very excited to announce that construction has begun
on the deck system for our 650,000 gallon pool. Two parallel
walkways will span the width of the pool and these docks will
be connected to one another by two additional walkways to
create a square enclosure in the center of the pool. These
docks can be used to separate areas of the pool and, of
course, will provide a shortcut for getting to the other side
of this gigantic pool. Once these docks are completed, and
the pool is painted, it will be ready to hold water – just in
The newly completed docks on our 650,000
time for summer!
gallon cetacean pool.
Recently, representatives from the Harrison County Development Commission (HCDC) visited
IMMS to tour the new facility and see what had been done with the land that they had generously donated to IMMS. They seemed pleased and excited about the progress and they are all
looking forward to the grand opening of the Center. In the coming months we hope to present
a functional institution that will provide a valuable service to the community through marine
education, conservation, and research.
Stranding Season 2008 Has Come to an End
The IMMS stranding response team responded to a total of 10 strandings (9 cetaceans and 1
sea turtle) over a period from March through June 2008. Our season started off slowly, but
quickly sped up towards late March/early April. The majority of the strandings were in
Harrison County, but we did have two in Hancock County and one in Jackson County.
Surprisingly, we had no reports of barrier island strandings this season. Below are the results
of the 2008 stranding season, in order of occurrence as listed next to the map.
Date
3/15/08
3/25/08
3/27/08
3/28/08
3/28/08
4/5/08
4/19/08
4/19/08
5/12/08
6/19/08
Species
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
Pygmy Killer Whale
Bottlenose Dolphin
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
Bottlenose Dolphin
Age Classification
Calf
Calf
Calf
Subadult
Adult
Calf
Subadult
Calf
Juvenile
Adult
Sex
Male
Male
Unknown
Female
Female
Unknown
Male
Male
Female
Female
Location
Harrison County
Hancock County
Harrison County
Harrison County
Harrison County
Harrison County
Jackson County
Hancock County
Harrison County
Harrison County
Research Assistants Shea Eaves and Becky Winstead preparing
to measure a Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle.
(cont.)
· Page 2 ·
Summer 2008, Volume 3, Issue 2
(cont.)
A map of the locations where 2008 strandings have occurred.
We performed limited necropsies and collected appropriate samples from each stranding,
based on the level of decomposition of each animal. The Kemp’s Ridley was a live stranding that
was brought to IMMS for rehabilitation. Despite our best efforts, she died on 5/14/08.
Stranding season along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is typically most active in the months of
March and April. The majority of stranding calls we receive are for deceased bottlenose
dolphins that are found on mainland and barrier island beaches. This stranding season
presented us with two very unique opportunities for the IMMS staff – a live sea turtle
stranding and the chance to study a Pygmy Killer Whale.
Although the Pygmy Killer Whale is distributed
pan-tropically in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean,
Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, it is an animal rarely
seen along the Gulf Coast. It is an oceanic species and
does not normally enter the shallow water inshore. The
subadult male was found on a small beach in Pascagoula
at the Chevron Refinery. The animal appeared to have
been dead less than 24 hours, so we were able to
perform a thorough necropsy and collect numerous
samples for genetics, histopathology and toxicological Stranding Coordinator Tim Hoffland preparing for
the necropsy of the pygmy killer whale.
studies.
The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle was observed in Gulfport Harbor showing signs of difficulty
swimming. The animal was rescued by the Department of Marine Resources and brought to the
IMMS facility for rehabilitation. Our veterinarian, Dr. Chevis, examined the animal and
prescribed a regimen of antibiotics upon its arrival. The sea turtle, later identified as a
female, appeared stable on 5/13/08, but its condition declined rapidly in the early morning of
5/14/08. She died at approximately 3pm. Preliminary necropsy results showed abnormalities
(cont.)
· Page 3 ·
Summer 2008, Volume 3, Issue 2
(cont.)
within the heart and possible impaction in the intestines. Samples were collected for more
in-depth lab analysis.
We would like to say a big thank you to all of the volunteers for their interest, dedication and
hard work this stranding season. Between walking the beaches, attending stranding workshops,
responding to stranding calls and assisting with necropsies, you guys were a tremendous help!
IMMS has a big showing at the NMFS Human Interaction/
Stranding Workshop
In May 2008, IMMS staff members and volunteers had the privilege of attending a Human
Interaction and Stranding Workshop hosted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The first meeting was held in Pascagoula, MS on May 2nd, followed by an additional meeting held
in New Orleans, LA on May 5th. IMMS was proud to have staff members and volunteers attend
both conferences.
Each day began with a lecture and PowerPoint presentation given by Sue Barco, Stranding
Response Coordinator and Senior Scientist for the Virginia Science Foundation, and Katie
Touhey, Executive Director and Senior Scientist for the Cape Cod Stranding Network. The
first part of the day offered an overview of response techniques and procedures regarding
stranded pinnipeds and cetaceans, followed by an in-depth look at human interaction (HI).
Because we have not yet seen confirmed human interaction on a stranded animal, this was a very
beneficial workshop for our stranding response team as well as our volunteers. We learned how
easy it is to overlook signs of HI, and how increasingly important it is to note incidences of HI
in stranded animals.
After lunch, we had the opportunity to observe and participate in the necropsy of a Common
Dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Erin Fougeres, NMFS Southeast Region Marine Mammal Stranding
Program Administrator, Sue Barco and Katie Touhey conducted the necropsy and were available
to answer any questions. The IMMS staff learned about taking morphometric measurements,
skin samples, specimen collection and necropsy techniques. It was an extremely informative and
useful workshop and we brought back many good ideas that will be implemented at IMMS.
We’d like to say a special thank you and recognize all of the volunteers who were able to attend!
We appreciate your never-ending dedication to IMMS.
Amber Hudson
Jerry Jackson
Robin Leake
Chip Rhodes
Jared Chism
Marcy Ross
Kayla Ouellette
· Page 4·
Summer 2008, Volume 3, Issue 2
“Take Pride in the Tide” Was a Huge Success
On May 17, 2008, IMMS organized its first beach
beautification project called “Take Pride in the Tide”. It
was a great community event bringing out about 50
participants that helped clean five miles of Biloxi’s
beach. At the end of the day, we collected
approximately 100 bags of trash! IMMS supplied trash
bags, gloves and water for all of the participants. The
success of “Take Pride in the Tide” would not have been
possible without the generosity of so many local
businesses. The Treasure Bay Casino allowed us to set
up our registration booth and dumpster in their parking The IMMS team in front of the Take Pride in the Tide
registration tent.
lot. Employees of Treasure Bay volunteered to clean up
one mile of our five mile commitment. Treasure Bay also sold some of our “Protect Dolphins”
bracelets to their employees and gave us a donation of $560! Fayard and Sons Waste Services
were also very generous, donating a 10 ft dumpster so IMMS could dispose of the trash bags
we collected. Academy Sports donated a very large ice chest to us, as well as several cases of
water. Wal-Mart donated a $50.00 gift card to help us purchase supplies for the beach
clean-up. Winn Dixie and O’Charley’s donated several cases of water as well. We had a raffle
drawing for all of the participants. Our prizes (also donated by local businesses) included a gift
certificate to Bath Junkie, two Ship Island Excursion tickets, Arbonne Seasource Detox Spa
Purifying Sea Soak, five walk on sails at Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum, gift bags from
IMMS, gift cards to O’Charley’s, Applebee’s in Gulfport, Barnhill’s in Gulfport and Moss Point,
Beef O’Brady’s, Chili’s, TGI Fridays, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, and Sonic.
We would like to say a special thank you to everyone who made “Take Pride in the Tide”
possible. It was a wonderful day! We will continue with more beach clean ups along the coast
in the next few months. Keep checking our website for information on future “Take Pride in
the Tide” events!
Volunteers register for Take Pride in the Tide as IMMS staff hands
out supplies.
The IMMS team unloads the truck after collecting full trash bags
along the beach.
· Page 5 ·
Summer 2008, Volume 3, Issue 2
Get involved
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies is proud to announce some great
opportunities for you to get involved in this year!
The Mississippi State Tax Commission has
recently approved a new “Protect Dolphins”
license plate that will benefit the Institute
for Marine Mammal Studies. Proceeds from
the sales of these plates will go towards
the work IMMS does in dolphin research,
stranded dolphin rescue and rehabilitation,
marine conservation, and educational
activities for students and the general
public. In order for the tags to be available
The preliminary design for IMMS’ new Protect Dolphins specialty
license plate.
through the Tax Commissioners office, 300
tags must be pre-sold to demonstrate that there is public interest in these plates and in
protecting dolphins in Mississippi. The tag fee is $31.00, and can be paid by check or money order to IMMS. For more information or to request an application for the “Protect Dolphins”
license plate, please contact us using the phone number or email address listed below. You may
also visit our website for additional information.
Would you like to be a part of IMMS forever? You or your business can purchase a 4” x 8”
laser-engraved brick paver displaying the name(s) of your choice, which will be viewable from
our front entrance walkway. This will be a permanent addition to our facility, with a $100
tax-deductible donation. Additional opportunities include purchasing a bronze, silver or gold
plate, engraved with your name or your organization’s name, which will be displayed on the
IMMS “Donor Recognition Wall,” located within our facility.
Not yet a member of IMMS? Join today to be a part of our organization! We have several
membership levels to choose from, all of which are tax deductible. Don’t miss out on this
chance to be a part of our grand opening!
For more information on any of these exciting opportunities, please visit us at www.imms.org,
contact us at (228) 896-9182 or send us an email at [email protected]. Keep an eye out for
our newly renovated website coming soon!
· Page 6 ·
Summer 2008, Volume 3, Issue 2
Why did the dolphin cross the
ocean?
To get to the other tide!!!
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Who we are / Contact information
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1984. It has been
a part of the National Stranding Network since its inception. IMMS is the only marine mammal organization in the
Mississippi-Louisiana-Alabama sub-region of the Gulf Coast that has the capability and expertise to care for sick and
injured marine mammals. The mission of IMMS is to support innovative and critical research on marine mammals and
their environments, and to better understand the role and responsibility humans have in the management of marine
mammals both in captivity and in the wild. This collaborative effort combines the resources of IMMS along with universities, state and federal agencies to provide funding for projects that directly impact marine animals. The Institute is
dedicated to the understanding of marine life through research, education, conservation and innovation.
If you see or hear of a marine mammal or other marine species stranded or in need of help please call the hotline
below.
Please support our
sponsors; they
support us.
(Nautica International Boats)
Are you interested in
becoming a part of the
foundation of the new
IMMS facility? A
donation will give you the
opportunity to leave your
mark! Please contact us
for details.
The cost of rehabilitating a dolphin can
be as much as $400 a day.
All of the Institute’s efforts require
significant resources. Generous
donations like these greatly help with the
endless needs that arise in tending to sick
and injured marine animals and in
conducting research.
Interested in becoming a sponsor
or making a charitable donation?
228.896.9182
Contact us at:
[email protected]
Visit us online at www.IMMS.org
for membership options.