DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050 www.dolphins.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit corporation specializing in education and research. DRC is a tax-exempt organization, and as such, all donations, monetary or otherwise, are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Spring 2010 Page 4 The Gray Cross

THANK YOU! The Florida Keys are beautiful, but the salt

water and hot sun are tough on equipment Thank

you for all you do to make sure that we have what

we need to help the endangered Florida Manatee.

Wish List Items Needed

Hoop Net - $450

Foam Pads (2) - $520

Waterproof Gear Bags (2) - $200

CPR Course (5 staff) - $250

Strap fins (2 pair) - $150.00

Net Bucket—$1500.00

Protective bladders to

waterproof radios (6) - $250.00

Rash Guard Shirts—$1250.00

Animal rescue requires specialized equipment

to not only increase our chances for success, but

also to help us operate with the utmost safety for

the team as well as the manatees.

We could not do these rescue missions

without the generous assistance you provide.

You may donate money for these specific

items, or make a general donation to the Dolphin

Research Center Manatee Rescue Team.

For more information, contact the

Membership Department at 305-289-1121, ext. 229, or email drc-mbr@dolphins.org!

Thank you

Cont’d from page one

can actually endanger our manatee friends. A manatee that learns to

approach docks, boats, seawalls and people to get the easy handout of

food and water, puts itself at higher risk of getting hit by moving boats

or entangled in fishing lines and ropes.

We like to make a comparison between manatees and the animals

we love in our own families. Would you take your dog or cat’s food

and water bowls and place them in the middle of a street? Of course

not! Well, unfortunately, even when we think we’re helping, that’s the

equivalent of what we’re doing when we provide lettuce and fresh

running water to manatees.

The good news to all of this is that when it comes to nutrition and

hydration, the manatees don’t need this kind of help from their human

friends. Thousands of years before man invented garden hoses or

picked lettuce, sirenians did just fine finding their own food and water.

They get most of the fluid they need from the vegetation they consume

and are adept at locating fresh water springs in brackish or salt water.

Did you know that when it rains, manatees sometimes even drift to the

ocean’s surface and sip the freshwater before it sinks?

There are other ways in which they need our help, however. Those

of us who live or play by the shore can be ever-vigilant in cleaning up

trash and discarded fishing line and disposing of it properly. When out

on our boats, if we slow down and look around, we can reduce the

number of manatees hit by propellers. The more proactive actions we

take, the better life will be for the precious Florida Manatee!

By Mary Stella

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050

www.dolphins.org

The Gray Cross A Quarterly Publication of DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

Volume 13, Number 2 Spring 2010

Update on Familiar Manatees

In addition to teaching the public about dolphins and sea lions,

Dolphin Research Center frequently shares information about manatees.

Often this takes place in outreach presentations and also when members of

our team go out on assessments and rescues. One of the most common

misconceptions that people have is the idea that we should offer food and

water to manatees. When we explain that this isn’t the case, it’s natural that

we’re asked, “Why not?”

There are several different reasons, beginning with the fact that the

Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA, 1972) makes it illegal to harass,

hunt, capture, collect, or kill marine mammals. Feeding qualifies as

harassment under the MMPA.

The law is just one aspect to consider, however. Most people who

offer a hose with running water over their docks, or throw lettuce into their

canals as a treat for a visiting manatee, are motivated by a desire to help

these gentle creatures. What many people don’t realize is that this habit

Cont’d page 4

Shouldn’t We Feed and Water Manatees?

What’s wrong with this picture??

Bonnie, pictured in March 2010, showing off both of

her flippers. Thankfully, at this point the

entanglement is not preventing movement.

(Photograph by Kit Curtin.)

Since our last issue, when we reported on the record-setting

number of manatee mortalities due to cold stress, many of you have

contacted us to ask about the manatees with which we’re all most

familiar — Bonnie, Dually, their calves, and Patsy. Even though our

mission is to assist any manatee in the Florida Keys that needs help,

we admit that our long history with these ladies makes us take an

extra special interest in their survival.

We consulted with our colleagues in state and federal agencies

and asked them to keep us informed if/when anyone spotted these

manatees. As is often the case, we have good news and sad news to

report. Bonnie was seen in the Upper Keys near Calusa Campground

in mid March and she was accompanied by a young calf. Although

Bonnie didn’t show any of the external signs of cold stress syndrome,

manatee biologist Kit Curtin reports that she has additional

monofilament line tangled around her left flipper. The flipper is

swollen, but she’s using it. She’s also using the right flipper, which

was partially amputated in 2003. The calf had some sloughing skin

and skin lesions on its peduncle and trunk but otherwise seemed okay.

You probably remember that a few years ago, Bonnie gave birth to a

Cont’d page 2

THE GRAY CROSS

Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to a better understanding of marine mammals and the environment we share. DRC is home to a small colony of dolphins and sea lions where we conduct innovative research and offer many interactive, educational programs. Beyond our lagoons, we are the only private organization in the Florida Keys licensed to respond to manatees in distress. We are actively involved in our local community providing outreach presentations on a variety of conservation subjects. The Gray Cross evolved from our work with stranded marine mammals. DRC’s critical care program is world renowned. Our experience with dolphins, whales and sea lions is now being used to help the endangered Florida Manatee. DRC has also participated in rescue and release of endangered sea turtles. As a not-for-profit organization, contributions to DRC are welcomed and tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information call (305) 289-1121 extension 229 or send an email to drc-mbr@dolphins.org.

Page 2 The Gray Cross

Familiar Manatees, from page one

a male calf who was named

Clyde. We’re sad to report that

Clyde was one of the manatees

whose body was recovered during

the prolonged, severely cold

weather that Florida experienced

in January of this year.

Dually also made it back to

the Calusa Campground area in

Key Largo. She didn’t present

any obvious signs of trouble from

cold stress syndrome. Her calf

Nibbles, who will be a year old

in July, appears to be fine!

Unfortunately, both of

Dually’s pectoral flippers are

entangled and the left one is

particularly bulbous. Officials

need to wait until Nibbles is older

and less dependent on his mom

before we can attempt a rescue on

Dually to help with her

entanglement injuries. We’ll keep

you posted!

Last year, Patsy garnered

quite a bit of attention after DRC

rescued her for entanglement

injuries and Miami Seaquarium

treated and rehabilitated her. Even

Florida Governor Charlie Crist

participated in her release in May

2009.

Kit has spotted her a few

times so far this winter and spring.

Unfortunately, her left flipper has a

tight, embedded band of monofilament

caught in the scar tissue from her previous

entanglement.

After our team rescued her and she

was transported to Miami Seaquarium, the

veterinary examination revealed that Patsy

was pregnant. Unfortunately, she does not

have a calf with her but we don’t know if

something happened early in the calf’s life

or if the severe cold resulted in its death.

Manatee calves, like any marine mammal

are fragile. We can only hope that Patsy is

more fortunate with future offspring.

It’s good to know that Bonnie, Dually

and Patsy have all been spotted. We all

hope that these three thrive and can raise

other babies to help this endangered

species grow.

by Mary Stella

Dually certainly earned her name with her habit of dual

entanglements on both flippers. She’s healthy, but those

swollen flippers can’t be comfortable! She’ll need rescue

and treatment in the future. (Photo by Kit Curtin.)

Patsy has joined the ranks of other “serial entanglers” with the latest

accumulation of fishing line wrapped around her left flipper!

(Photo by Kit Curtin)

Spring 2010

Yes! I would like to make a contribution to Dolphin Research Center’s Manatee Rescue Team and their efforts to save an endangered species. __$10 $15 $25 $35 $50 Other $ Donations can be mailed to DRC, 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050, made online at www.dolphins.org or faxed to (305) 743-7627. Thank you!

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City: ____________________ State: ____ Zip: _________ Country: _____________

Type of Payment: (Please make checks payable to Dolphin Research Center.)

___ Check (US Funds) ____ Money Order (US Funds)

Credit Card: ____ VISA ____ MasterCard ____ Discover ____ Amex

Card # __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ Expires: __ __ /__ __

Signature of Cardholder: ________________________________________________

For more information about the Gray Cross and Dolphin Research Center, call 305-289-1121 extension 229. SC# NSC0510

Page 3 The Gray Cross

Oil Slick Response All eyes are on the Gulf of Mexico and the oil slick caused by the April explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

As of the end of May, the Florida Keys have not been affected and we’re still hopeful that the oil will not make its way to

our islands. The latest reports indicate that any oil that comes as far as the Keys would be highly weathered and greatly

reduced in volume due to natural evaporation and application of dispersants. If it appears in our islands at all, it would

most likely be in isolated areas in the form of more condensed tar balls. Regardless of the intensity of impact here, this is

already an environmental disaster, and everyone is concerned about how it will affect Florida’s ecology and wildlife.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is working closely with the Florida Department of

Environmental Protection (DEP), the lead agency in the state for responding to the oil spill. Both the FWC and DEP are

gathering pre-assessment data, along with many other agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Coast

Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The FWC is ready to minimize harm to wildlife affected by the oil leak, if oil should come ashore. They are involved

in the strategic planning that will attempt to secure the spill to prevent damage to Florida and its outstanding resources.

Scientists are mapping high-priority fish and wildlife habitats to help focus protective measures, and they are conducting

biological assessments to establish a baseline for measuring the severity of potential harm to fish and wildlife.

If an oiled fish washes ashore or wildlife covered in oil appears distressed, some of us will be tempted to rush out

and rescue the animal. However, that will not be the best course of action for either the wildlife or the Good Samaritan.

This crisis involves hazardous materials that need to be handled by properly trained personnel for the safety of you and

for the survival of the wildlife you think you might be saving.

Attempting to rescue wildlife distressed by the oil could further distress the animal. Distressed wildlife can be

dangerous as they fight to survive. You also are putting yourself at risk by touching the oil. It is best to let the trained

professionals take over, and there are plenty of them and even more coming on board to receive the necessary training to

assist. Trained workers will handle all oil-contaminated wildlife.

Members of Dolphin Research Center’s Manatee Rescue Team are already undergoing training specific to this

situation. Although we all hope that manatees and other marine life will not be adversely affected in the Florida Keys, we

will be ready to assist any that need help.

Additional Information Courtesy of the FWC