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

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THANK YOU!

The Florida Keys are beautiful, but the salt

water and hot sun are tough on equipment.

Wish List Items Needed

Snorkel Masks— $33.00 each

Snorkels— $18.00 each

VHF hand held radios—$130.00 each

(Must be submersible/floatable/chargeable)

Net Bucket - $1500.00

If you work for or own a company that makes

or sells any of these items, perhaps you can

consider an in-kind donation.

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 your generous assistance.

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!

Cont’d from page three some of our assessors and veterinarian noted that she appeared to be listing to one side and resting too high in the water. This finding was representative of complications within her lungs, warranting medical treatment necessary. Upon rescue, she made a full recovery and was subsequently released back into her home waters. Jasmine has since been observed on more than one occasion by Rescue Team members and has given every indication to be living a health, normal life. As we celebrate each miraculous recovery and rescue, we must never forget that these are the lucky ones and far too many manatees die as a result of injuries sustained from watercraft collisions. With numerous environmental threats on the rise and protections for this endangered species being challenged, it is possible that the Florida Manatee population will not recover. We must each do our part by supporting rescue efforts and continuing to advocate protections for manatees in the form of sanctuaries and slow speed zones to keep these gentle giants safe and ensure their survival. - Tanya Manchester

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 Overseas Highway

www.dolphins.org

The Gray Cross A Quarterly Publication of DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

Volume 17, Number 4 2014

The Incredible Healing Manatee When we are called on to assist a manatee in distress it is always our goal to get the animal the care and treatment it requires to live a healthy life in its natural habitat. However, due to the many challenging logistics involved with locating, catching and transporting these large aquatic mammals in vast bodies of water, we don’t always “get” our manatee. There are also times when a decision is made to monitor an animal before intervention or when the animal will likely fully recover without intervention. To rescue or not to rescue can be a tough call for wildlife managers, veterinarians and rescuers.

Fortunately, manatees are rotund animals with thick skin, heavy protective bones and very robust immune systems which provide them with great disease resistance and

In 2013, we spotted Bonnie with a significant wound on her back from a boat hit but

couldn’t attempt a rescue because of the young age of her calf.

(Photo supplied by FWCC)

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Love Animals Campaign a Success! Two items are no longer on our Wish List! With the help of

the website LoveAnimals.org, Dolphin Research Center raised the funds to purchase two foam pads, valued at $560, that we have needed for some time. When we rescue a manatee, we use the pads to keep it comfortable while we assess it on land or transport it for treatment in a truck.

Along with posting the campaign online, we alerted members, donors and our social media followers. The response was overwhelming and we reached our goal in record time! Our Manatee Rescue Team cannot thank you enough for your incredible generosity.

Throughout our history, we have been committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of endangered manatees. We are the only organization licensed by the federal government to do so in the Florida Keys, an island chain of some 120 miles.

We are already seeing more manatees migrate down in search of warmer water. If any need rescuing, these pads will be a big help!

-Vanessa Collins

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 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 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 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, visit our website at www.dolphins.org, call (305) 289-1121 extension 229 or send an email to drc-mbr@dolphins.org.

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healing capabilities. The fact that the majority of manatees observed living in the wild bear significant scars consistent with severe boat strike injuries is evidence that they are capable of surviving substantial injuries. Sadly, extensive scarring and mutilation from boat collisions are so prevalent that documented scar patterns are the most frequently used method to identify and monitor individual manatees. One such animal exhibiting these amazing healing capabilities, appropriately named Slash, was first encountered by DRC’s Manatee Rescue Team in February of 1997 when reports came in of a manatee

with wounds on its head and back. The reports indicated that Slash had obtained multiple deep lacerations from a boat propeller on his head and along his left side. Assessors located the animal several days after the initial report was received and were able to examine his injuries. They found deep gaping wounds with exposed bone over the left eye and face and multiple superficial cuts along the left side, all from contact with a spinning boat propeller. The wounds appeared recent but showed early signs of healing and the large male was observed to be in otherwise good body condition, eating and swimming normally.

The animal also had a number of other healed scar patterns on its back and tail indicating several previous boat

strikes. Once the assessment findings were reported, it was recommended by the manatee veterinarian that the animal be rescued for medical treatment, as it did not seem likely that he would survive otherwise. Despite a thorough search with the Rescue Team standing by, Slash was nowhere to be found. The Rescue Team feared the worst when no further reports or sightings of Slash came in. It wasn’t until a little over a year later, in March of 1998, that Slash was finally located again. At this time his wounds appeared to be nearly healed and it was concluded that it would be best to leave him to continue healing in his natural habitat. Four years later Slash was observed again and his wounds were

completely healed. Although he had lost his left eye, he appeared to be thriving. All

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Despite enduring such a severe injury, Slash not only

survived, but he healed on his own and is doing well!

(Photo by Penny Cook/FWCC)

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# NSC1412

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involved with the initial assessment and rescue efforts were in awe to see such an amazing recuperation. Despite the odds, he had made a full recovery. Sightings of Slash have been documented recurrently over the years and his story even inspired a painting, of which prints were made and a portion of the proceeds from sales donated to DRC to support our Manatee Rescue Program. Last year we were more recently impressed by our longtime friend and serial entangler, Bonnie when she suffered a boat strike injury on her back while raising her newest calf. The injury was monitored by assessors as sightings of her and her developing calf were reported. Though the wound initially appeared unsubstantial, within a couple of months it became extremely distended, indicating that a potentially life threatening infection had developed. Any rescue effort could have endangered her young calf and the decision was made to continue to closely monitor progression of the wound before attempting a rescue. Almost a year to the day later, Bonnie’s wound was confirmed to be completely healed and her calf was thriving. You may also remember Jasmine’s recent success story after she was struck by a boat and was subsequently monitored, rescued and transported to Miami Seaquarium for rehabilitation. She also had sustained multiple lacerations and trauma from a boat propeller and skeg. Although her wound initially appeared to be superficial,

In spring of 2014, Bonnie’s back injury was all healed!

(Photo by Tanya Manchester.)

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