Post on 27-May-2020
MARINE MAMMALS STRANDINGS IN JAMAICA
Introduction
Fig. 1: Melon
found at Donal
With an estimated 28 species of marine mammals found in Jamaican waters it is imperative that
a marine mammal stranding network be established.
stranded, two live and one dead.
Kogia breviceps, while a Melon-headed Whale,
Donald Quarrie High School on Jun
Melon-headed Whale, the Pygmy Sperm Whale live
known, not only about marine mammals in general, but also about stranding procedures.
MARINE MAMMALS STRANDINGS IN JAMAICA
by
Christine O’Sullivan
Jamaica Environment Trust
Fig. 1: Melon-Headed Whale, Peponocephala electra,
Donald Quarrie High School found on June 2, 2005
With an estimated 28 species of marine mammals found in Jamaican waters it is imperative that
a marine mammal stranding network be established. In the past three years three whales have
stranded, two live and one dead. Both live strandings occurred with Pygmy Sperm Whales,
headed Whale, Peponocephala electra, was found dead behind
Donald Quarrie High School on June 2, 2005 (Fig. 1). While nothing could be done for the
headed Whale, the Pygmy Sperm Whale live-strandings highlighted just how little is
known, not only about marine mammals in general, but also about stranding procedures.
With an estimated 28 species of marine mammals found in Jamaican waters it is imperative that
In the past three years three whales have
Both live strandings occurred with Pygmy Sperm Whales,
, was found dead behind
e 2, 2005 (Fig. 1). While nothing could be done for the
strandings highlighted just how little is
known, not only about marine mammals in general, but also about stranding procedures.
Pygmy Sperm Whales are similar in appearance to Dwarf Sperm Whales,
them difficult to distinguish. Distinguishing factors include the number of teeth, length, and
dorsal fin length and position.
cephalopods, crustaceans and fish.
Pygmy’s are thought to reside seaward of the continental shelf while Dwarf Sperm Whales may
be more coastal. One feature they share is the use of a dark reddish
sac within the lower intestine that is expelled in the water when they are startled.
that it is used either to deter predators or conceal the whale’s escape (Reeves,
The only similarity that they appear to s
the spermaceti organ. It is only found in the head of these three whales and contains
spermaceti, a liquid wax whose purpose is unknown (Reeves,
The strandings of the Pygmy Sperm Whales
While the circumstances surrounding both strandings differed they were both marred by lack of
expertise and indecision. These strandings highlighted the need for an established marine
mammal stranding network with the ability to quickly and competently respond to stranding
events.
Case studies
Fig. 2: Pygmy Sperm Whale,
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) responded to t
in Portland in July 2004. Upon arrival it was noted that the animal had been recovered by residents and
placed in a container with salt water (Fig. 2).
similar in appearance to Dwarf Sperm Whales, Kogia simus
Distinguishing factors include the number of teeth, length, and
dorsal fin length and position. Stomach contents indicate that they feed primarily on
pods, crustaceans and fish. They can be found in tropical and temperate latitudes and
Pygmy’s are thought to reside seaward of the continental shelf while Dwarf Sperm Whales may
One feature they share is the use of a dark reddish-brown l
sac within the lower intestine that is expelled in the water when they are startled.
that it is used either to deter predators or conceal the whale’s escape (Reeves,
The only similarity that they appear to share with Sperm Whales, Physeter macrocephalus
It is only found in the head of these three whales and contains
spermaceti, a liquid wax whose purpose is unknown (Reeves, et al. 2002).
The strandings of the Pygmy Sperm Whales occurred in July 2004 and on March 31, 2006.
While the circumstances surrounding both strandings differed they were both marred by lack of
These strandings highlighted the need for an established marine
with the ability to quickly and competently respond to stranding
Fig. 2: Pygmy Sperm Whale, Kogia breviceps, neonate that stranded in July 200
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) responded to the first stranding, which occurred
Upon arrival it was noted that the animal had been recovered by residents and
placed in a container with salt water (Fig. 2). The water was routinely changed while they waited for
Kogia simus, making
Distinguishing factors include the number of teeth, length, and
Stomach contents indicate that they feed primarily on
They can be found in tropical and temperate latitudes and
Pygmy’s are thought to reside seaward of the continental shelf while Dwarf Sperm Whales may
brown liquid found in a
sac within the lower intestine that is expelled in the water when they are startled. It is presumed
that it is used either to deter predators or conceal the whale’s escape (Reeves, et al., 2002).
Physeter macrocephalus, is
It is only found in the head of these three whales and contains
occurred in July 2004 and on March 31, 2006.
While the circumstances surrounding both strandings differed they were both marred by lack of
These strandings highlighted the need for an established marine
with the ability to quickly and competently respond to stranding
that stranded in July 2004
he first stranding, which occurred
Upon arrival it was noted that the animal had been recovered by residents and
The water was routinely changed while they waited for
NEPA to arrive. The animal appeared to be a neonate (
of papillae on the tongue as well as vestigial hairs.
was extremely small and could be lifted and held by one perso
taken. According to residents it had swum to shore, attempted to go back out to sea and then
returned. At that point it was recovered by the residents, who noted that a pod (
dolphins) had been seen off shore, before eventually leaving the area.
eventually joined by a team from Dolphin Cove, who moved the animal to a shallower, calmer beach to
determine the next course of action.
unsuccessful. The decision was finally taken to take the animal to Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios and care for
it there. The animal died early the next morning.
Fig 3: Pygmy Sperm Whale before refloating attempt
On March 31, 2006 NEPA received a call that a whale had stranded in Morant Bay, St. Thomas and a
joint team from NEPA and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) responded to the call. Upon arrival it was
determined that the individual was a male Pygmy Sperm Whale (Fig. 3). It did not appear to be
malnourished or dehydrated but had several cuts and scratches along its bo
stomach (Fig. 4). All the cuts were superficial and would not have caused the stranding event.
The animal appeared to be a neonate (newborn), which was indicated by the presence
of papillae on the tongue as well as vestigial hairs. The animal had several cuts and scrapes on its body,
was extremely small and could be lifted and held by one person. However, no measurements were
According to residents it had swum to shore, attempted to go back out to sea and then
At that point it was recovered by the residents, who noted that a pod (group of whales or
shore, before eventually leaving the area. NEPA staff members were
eventually joined by a team from Dolphin Cove, who moved the animal to a shallower, calmer beach to
determine the next course of action. While there, an attempt was made to refloat the a
unsuccessful. The decision was finally taken to take the animal to Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios and care for
The animal died early the next morning.
Fig 3: Pygmy Sperm Whale before refloating attempt
On March 31, 2006 NEPA received a call that a whale had stranded in Morant Bay, St. Thomas and a
NEPA and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) responded to the call. Upon arrival it was
determined that the individual was a male Pygmy Sperm Whale (Fig. 3). It did not appear to be
malnourished or dehydrated but had several cuts and scratches along its body, particularly on its
All the cuts were superficial and would not have caused the stranding event.
), which was indicated by the presence
The animal had several cuts and scrapes on its body,
However, no measurements were
According to residents it had swum to shore, attempted to go back out to sea and then
group of whales or
NEPA staff members were
eventually joined by a team from Dolphin Cove, who moved the animal to a shallower, calmer beach to
While there, an attempt was made to refloat the animal but it was
unsuccessful. The decision was finally taken to take the animal to Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios and care for
On March 31, 2006 NEPA received a call that a whale had stranded in Morant Bay, St. Thomas and a
NEPA and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) responded to the call. Upon arrival it was
determined that the individual was a male Pygmy Sperm Whale (Fig. 3). It did not appear to be
dy, particularly on its
All the cuts were superficial and would not have caused the stranding event. They
appeared, instead, to have occurred when the animal swam through a nearby coral reef.
was placed on the scratches and the animal was carried further offshore and held in the water.
attempts to refloat the animal were made but after each attempt the animal returned to shore and it
was decided that the animal needed to be euthanized.
the animal died. A partial necropsy (autopsy
cause of death could not be determined.
Measurements were taken by the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica and the animal
was 1.87 metres in length indicating that it was a sub
Fig. 4: Scratches on the stomach of the Pygmy Sperm Whale
Problems associated with each stran
appeared, instead, to have occurred when the animal swam through a nearby coral reef.
nd the animal was carried further offshore and held in the water.
attempts to refloat the animal were made but after each attempt the animal returned to shore and it
was decided that the animal needed to be euthanized. However, before the veterinarian could arrive,
A partial necropsy (autopsy performed on animals) was performed but a definitive
cause of death could not be determined.
Measurements were taken by the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica and the animal
was 1.87 metres in length indicating that it was a sub-adult.
Fig. 4: Scratches on the stomach of the Pygmy Sperm Whale
Problems associated with each stranding
appeared, instead, to have occurred when the animal swam through a nearby coral reef. An antiseptic
nd the animal was carried further offshore and held in the water. Several
attempts to refloat the animal were made but after each attempt the animal returned to shore and it
arian could arrive,
performed on animals) was performed but a definitive
Measurements were taken by the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica and the animal
In both instances, while the death of each animal was inevitable, the care provided for each
animal could have been different shortening the amount of time that they suffered.
In the first case a chain of command should have been established based on marine mammal
stranding experience. Decisions therefore would have been made based on training in stranding
protocol and experience in marine mammal strandings, rather than emotion. Had this occurred
the Pygmy Sperm Whale neonate would have been euthanized, and never transported to
Dolphin Cove, since neonates are unable to survive without their mothers. Had this decision
been taken, its suffering would not have been prolonged. In both cases, however, the use of
euthanasia would have been determined by the identification of a veterinarian.
While a veterinarian was identified in the second case this only occurred after several other vets
were unable to respond. Had a stranding network been established willing veterinarians would
have already been identified and the response time would have been much shorter. A stranding
network would have also trained individuals around the island providing them with the
necessary training to respond to each stranding before the NEPA and JET staff arrived, and
then assist them upon arrival.
Much of the equipment necessary was not immediately available and some items had to be
purchased before arriving at the scene. While some materials could be purchased easily, other
equipment cannot be, though they are instrumental in caring for the animals. During the second
stranding the rescue team had to improvise in order to effectively care for the animal.
A proposal for a marine mammal stranding network is currently being developed by the Jamaica
Environment Trust in order to ensure that interested persons around the island can be trained in
stranding procedures and stranding equipment will be provided in the event of a stranding. This
will ensure that all stranded animals will receive the best possible care.
Stranding events
In the event of a stranding immediate action can be taken in order to care for the animal(s).
This includes:
• Report the incident to the National Environment and Planning Agency at 754-7540. • Support the animal in an upright position and dig trenches under the pectoral fins.
• Cover the animal with wet sheets or towels (even seaweed) and keep it moist by spraying or dousing with water.
• Do NOT cover, or let any water pass down the blowhole (sited on top of the animal’s head). This will cause the animal great distress and could even kill it.
• Every movement around a stranded animal should be quiet, calm and gentle. Excessive noise and disturbance will only stress it further.
• Do not attempt to drag the animal. • Do not pull on fins or tail. • Erect a shade to prevent it from overheating.
Source: Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit: www.crru.org.uk
British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR):
http://www.bdmlr.org.uk/pages/main.html
Literature Cited:
Reeves, R.R., B.S. Stewart, P.J. Clapham, and J.A. Powell. 2002. National Audubon Society
Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Alfred A. Knopf. New York.
For further information contact:
Christine O’Sullivan
Marine Mammals Specialist
Jamaica Environment Trust
11 Waterloo Road
Kingston 10
(876) 960-3693
cosullivan.jet@cwjamaica.com
www.jamentrust.org