Sad News

Dolphin Research Center is deeply sorry to share the news that Calusa's calf died early this afternoon. In observing him since his birth last Saturday, we recognized that he was not thriving the way that he should in his first days. DRC's Animal Care Committee was looking at ways to intervene and supplement, but the baby's condition rapidly deteriorated.

Calusa was proving herself an excellent mom and did all that she could to nurture the baby. Unfortunately, in every animal species, the youngest are the most delicate. There is an even higher mortality risk for a female's first calf. Sadly, not all who are born survive.

All of us in the DRC family appreciate your concern and support.

Thank you.

Baby Boom - Merina's Calf Arrives!

Merina's calf surfaces for a quick breath!

Only a couple days after the birth of Calusa's calf, Merina delivered her new, adorable baby on November 15th.

Judging from Merina's behavior and signs of labor contractions, we knew yesterday that it wouldn't be long. Although she held off until after dark, when Medical Director Pat Clough visited Merina's lagoon around 8:45 last night, the flippered bundle of joy was swimming alongside mom.

Merina is an experienced mother, having previously delivered and raised Pandora, Calusa and Cayo. This newborn calf is a cute addition to a lovely family.

It will be some time before we can announce the name of the baby's father. Conceived by artificial insemination, two males from other facilities are candidates. DNA testing in the future will determine which male is the baby daddy.

DRC Welcomes New Baby!

Look at the sweet face of Tursi's new calf!

The entire Dolphin Research Center family is delighted to announce the arrival of Tursi's baby on the evening of Friday, November 5th at 6:06 p.m. The little one is swimming strong around the lagoon with its beautiful mom.

For a few days, Tursi's behavior indicated that her time was drawing closer. Earlier today, she refused her fish meals and only ate gelatin treats that we offered. A member of the Animal Care and Training staff monitored her throughout the day. As time progressed, she hunched more frequently and exhibited contraction behavior.

At 5:16 p.m., the baby's tail flukes appeared and from that point on, the delivery quickly proceeded. Less than an hour later, after a good, long dive, up popped Tursi with the calf for a first breath!

As you know, Tursi is a very experienced, super, mom. From the moment she gave birth, she expertly steered her little one safely around the lagoon. The calf quickly caught on to the chin-slap breathing action that's common to all newborn dolphins. In order to make sure that the blowhole clears the surface, the baby brings its entire head up, so it's chin naturally slaps on the water on the way down.

Before another hour passed, Tursi had already cruised by the dock and accepted some juicy herring from the trainers. She'll take in lots of calories to produce rich milk for the newborn.

We won't know for some time whether the calf is a boy or a girl. Whatever its gender, the baby has a lot of ties in the DRC family. Its half-siblings are brothers Talon and Pax and sister Gypsi on Tursi's side. Kibby is the proud father, which means that Pandora and Delta are also half-siblings.

Welcome to the family, little one. Congratulations, Tursi and Kibby.

Holiday Photo Time Again!

Warm sun, sparkling oceans and stately palm trees might not have the Florida Keys in the holiday spirit yet, but Dolphin Research Center is giving guests a head start on their holiday photos. From now until December 22nd, visitors who participate in DRC’s Meet the Dolphin program can also pose with the dolphins for a holiday photo. Visitors will be offered a number of props such as Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and holiday wreaths to use while posing. DRC’s experienced photographers will shoot the pictures using high-resolution digital cameras. Meet the Dolphin gives guests the opportunity to go onto the floating dock to give backrubs and share a “flippershake” with a dolphin. The program is offered several times each day on a walk-in basis and costs $25 per person in addition to general admission prices. The photos can be supplied on CD for $30 (including all members of the family), or as prints. Print prices vary depending on number ordered.

Your holiday card could be the coolest one your friends and family receive and you'll have a terrific memory of your dolphin visit.

Donation for Dolphins!

The National Council for Traditional Arts (NCTA) recently presented a generous donation to Dolphin Research Center (DRC). Over $1500.00 was raised as a portion of the proceeds from the 1st Annual Florida Keys Traditional Music Festival that was organized by the NCTA in January 2010 at Sombrero Resort in Marathon. Area musician Joe Mama presented the check on behalf of the NCTA to DRC President and CEO Rita Irwin and Rainbow.

Many thanks to all of the organizers, performers, volunteers and attendees of the Music Festival. We appreciate your support!

Balloons Can Harm Wildlife

On a day when the ocean was incredibly clear and beautiful, local boaters spotted this bunch of balloons floating. Imagine the damage the balloons could have done! The boaters were not pleased. (Thanks to Cora for permission to use this photo.

With the start of football season, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued a press release to remind event organizers and other Floridians about a law prohibiting the release of more than nine lighter-than-air balloons within a 24-hour period.

Balloons released in Florida almost inevitably end up in the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Ocean. Wildlife, especially sea turtles, mistake balloons for food, and strings attached to balloons can entangle birds and other animals. The release into the atmosphere of large numbers of balloons inflated with lighter-than-air gases poses a danger and nuisance to the environment, particularly to wildlife and marine animals, according to Florida Statute 379.233, passed in 1989. The law provides for a $250 fine for violations.

There are exceptions for scientific or meteorological balloons released by a government agency or under government contract, hot air balloons that are recovered after launching, and balloons released indoors. The law also allows for the release of balloons that are biodegradable or photodegradable under FWC rules. Since 1989, the FWC has received only one such balloon design for review, and that balloon was not approved.

Obviously balloons are popular at outdoor events, including store openings and children's parties. It's up to all of us to make sure that the balloons are not released, but instead are disposed of properly to safeguard the environment and our animal friends.

Watch Out for Manatees!

Boaters, when you head out on the state’s waterways during the Labor Day weekend, please be extra cautious and obey manatee speed zone signs!
During warm weather, manatees move throughout Florida’s estuaries and rivers, and along the shore line, canals and basins all over the state. Boaters can help keep manatees safe by following a few simple guidelines: Stay in marked channels, wear polarized sunglasses to improve visibility below the water surface and obey posted boat-speed zones. Using poles, paddles or trolling motors when in close proximity to manatees and having someone onboard scan the water when under way can go a long way to protecting manatees from harm.
Boaters should scan the water near or in front of the boat – looking for a repetitive line of half-moon swirls – sometimes called a manatee footprint – or a trail or a snout or fluke (tail) breaking the water’s surface.
As of Aug. 20, 58 manatees have died in 2010 from watercraft strikes. With a little extra care, we can hopefully keep that number from increasing!
If you see a manatee in distress or a dead manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).