Marine Mammal Conservancy

01/29/2014

An outstanding effort by our stranding network partners to mitigate the impact humans are having on our wild marine mammals.

A highly trained marine mammal rescue team was assembled with multiple partners to catch an entangled mother dolphin and her calf. Biologists wanted to keep the pair together so they didn't become separated during the disentanglement process. Click the photos to see the story unfold and the dolphins released! Mission accomplished.

See all of the rescue photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwcmedia/sets/72157640261526144/

And from Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute:
https://picasaweb.google.com/HubbsStranding/January272014HBOI1402TTNIPTAndHBOI1403TTCNIPT?authkey=Gv1sRgCKLE1cO07vTmLA #

01/24/2014

The latest update from Southwest Florida.

Short finned pilot whales, like all marine mammals, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but they are not endangered. They are the most common species to mass strand. These whales are a tight cohesive species—when one animal is sick or ill, they may stay close by even if it means th...

01/21/2014

Update on the ongoing effort:

Pilot whales have shown up Monday afternoon at New Pass in Lee County. That prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to close New Pass for the time being.

01/20/2014

A group of around 24 Pilot Whales were found in shallow water near Naples midday yesterday. After yesterday's attempt to herd the group out to deeper water, some were again spotted today at New Pass, prompting the closure of the waterway. Officials continue to monitor the developing situation.

Pilot whales have shown up at New Pass in Lee County.

01/13/2014

Check out the unique genetic analysis of the Clymene Dolphin!

Two different dolphin species mated to create the clymene dolphin, scientists report, in a first scientific find of such a hybrid marine mammal species.

01/03/2014

Yesterday MMC responded to a deceased S***m Whale off of Key Largo. Thank you to FWC and Sea Tow for their assistance!

The carcass of a deceased s***m whale, estimated to be 35 feet long, has been towed about 10 miles off the Florida Keys to the Gulf Stream.

12/20/2013

Last weekend MMC received a visit from a long time supporter of our organization. Although not even old enough to be an "official" volunteer with us, Alison has already been supporting us for years! By making us the recipient of her charitable efforts, she has been raising awareness of ocean conservation to everyone around her. Alison has been creating projects and making donations for her birthday every year, and this year she did so on a much grander scale. She designed a shirt to encourage everyone to "Love Our Oceans" and raised $1090 for MMC! We are incredibly proud of everything Alison has done to support us throughout the years, and can't wait for her to begin "officially" volunteering with us! Thanks Alison!!

12/12/2013

MMC will be volunteering at the season opener of the Ragnar Relay Series, a 200 mile race starting in Miami and ending Key West, and we need your help! We will be manning two exchange points at mile marker 104 and 99, here in Key Largo. Volunteers will be stationed at intersections or tricky turns to assist runners in navigating the course, others will be at relay stations to check runners through the exchange, and others will be helping maintain supplies. Shifts will run from around 4pm-10pm on Friday February 7th, and from 10pm-4am on Friday February 7th / Saturday, February 8th. This is an excellent chance to raise much needed funds for our organization to help with future strandings! If you’re able to help us, please email [email protected] – thank you in advance for your support!!!

12/09/2013

This afternoon we received a report of Pilot Whales a few miles north of Sugarloaf Key and upon arrival, 11 deceased animals were found. Unfortunately, it is probable that this group was part of the pod that originally stranded on Tuesday afternoon. A team of experts will be conducting necropsies on the animals tomorrow in hopes of gleaning more information on the nature of this stranding.

12/06/2013

Follow updates of the pilot whales through the NOAA website below.

Short finned pilot whales, like all marine mammals, are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but they are not endangered. They are the most common species to mass strand. These whales are a tight cohesive species—when one animal is sick or ill, they may stay close by even if it means th...

12/06/2013

The Marine Mammal Conservancy again provided NMFS with a requested support team to assist with the ongoing Pilot Whale stranding in the Everglades today. We are happy to report that the pod was headed offshore towards deeper waters this afternoon. Although re-stranding is always a possibility with this type of effort, we are hopeful that the pod will continue towards an appropriate habitat and no further response will be necessary. Therefore, volunteers are no longer needed, but we thank all of you for your efforts to assist and for your continued interest in MMC.