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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.
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 [email protected]!
Kiandra, from page two
Her tag was recently exchanged and they’ll continue to keep an eye on her
for awhile, but the youngster is clearly in good shape! This is the kind of great
news that we love to hear. It’s terrific to know that a baby we helped to rescue is
healthy and doing well out on her own. Every healthy manatee is one that can
help the future of its species. Go, Kiandra!
We certainly wish that we only ever heard good news, but unfortunately,
that’s not the case. Shortly before Christmas, manatee biologist Kit Curtin called
us with a sad report. The body of Nibbles, the two year old son of our old friend
Dually, was discovered in Key Largo. Although results of a necropsy are not yet
known, his injuries were consistent with a boat strike.
His death is a poignant reminder that humans are the biggest threat to the
well being of marine life. Accidents might happen, but all too often, we see
boaters who ignore posted speed zones and go far faster than necessary or legal.
What’s the rush? It’s certainly worth taking a little extra time to protect the lives
of our precious manatees.
By Mary Stella
The marks on Nibbles in this photo from March 2011 shows
that he’d already had a run-in with a boat propeller. How
sad that another boat strike ultimately caused his death.
(Photo by Kit Curtin)
DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050
www.dolphins.org
The Gray Cross A Quarterly Publication of DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER
Volume 15, Number 1 2012
DRC Takes to the Skies to Protect Manatees
Manatee Feeding Practices
Manatees sometimes use their flippers to guide
food into their mouths..
(Photo by Susan Sorensen)
The observers spotted this manatee swimming
too close to the race course and alerted
officials so that the race could be temporarily
halted. (Photo by Bette Zirkelbach)
Dolphins frolic in the waves, a sea turtle lingers at the ocean’s surface,
basking in the warmth of the sun, and a manatee swims along the seawall foraging
for its meal. A helicopter circles two hundred feet overhead as its passengers keep
close eyes on these magnificent marine creatures and monitor their proximity to the
race course.
Bottlenose dolphins, manatees and sea turtles are all found in the Key West
Harbor. This area annually hosts the Key West World Championship Power Boat
races. The aptly named offshore boats power through the waves at speeds up to 200
mph! This year marked the 30th anniversary of the World Championships in Key
West. Mandy Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Dolphin
Research Center, has worked closely with Richie Moretti, Director of the Turtle
Hospital, for ten-plus years to help keep our marine critters safe. November 2001 in
Key West was the first time a helicopter was used solely for wildlife observation
during a boat race. Airborne wildlife monitors from Dolphin Research Center and
the Turtle Hospital work directly with the Super Boat International race officials to
observe and prevent manatees, sea turtles and dolphins from being struck by boats.
I joined Richie Moretti for my fourth year as a monitor to keep watchful eyes
over this year’s races. We flew in an open, door-less, Robinson R-44 helicopter,
Cont’d page two
The lifestyle of a manatee is something to be envied by many humans; eating
half the day away and spending the rest sleeping it off. It is a rough life for these
large aquatic mammals that can spend up to eight hours a day eating. These gentle
giants are unique because, unlike other marine mammals, they are herbivores and
feed only on aquatic plants.
The Florida Manatee feeds on up to 60 different types of plants found
submerged, floating, or growing in and around their coastal habitats. Such plants can
include sea grasses, mangrove leaves & seedlings, acorns, algae, hyacinth, water
lettuce, and hydrilla. An average adult manatee can eat up to 10% of its body weight
in one day! They eat such a large amount to make up for the lack of protein they
receive from their diets. Humans consume high protein, high calorie meals and
therefore do not need to spend the majority of the day eating. Manatees, in contrast,
consume food that is high fiber but low in protein which is why they compensate
with eating large quantities every day.
Manatees are often called “sea cows” despite having no relation with the land
mammal. However, their eating styles are comparable. You could think of the
manatee as an underwater lawn mower. This is because they do not pull up plants
and uproot them; they simply give the plants a good trimming. If a manatee can
reach something, it will be eaten! Although they spend their entire lives in water
they can stretch above the water’s surface in order to reach a tasty meal. A muscular,
maneuverable upper lip covered in small sensitive hairs aids in feeling around for
Cont’d on page three
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 [email protected].
Page 2 The Gray Cross
Skies, from page one
piloted by retired Navy airman, Philip
Douglas. For an hour before the race,
during each of the races, and one hour
after the final race, we scouted for
animals. At one point, when we spotted
a manatee swimming close to the course,
we delayed a race for 45 minutes. The
action resumed when we deemed the
manatee was out of harm’s way, 300 feet
outside of the track.
If a sea turtle or manatee enters the
track during a race, as wildlife observers
we alert race control. Race control
notifies the drivers to avoid the area. We
drop down in the helicopter closer to the
water and hover over the animal,
providing a clear marker for the boat
drivers. This helicopter, that is devoted
to wildlife protection, has become a
welcome sight to local citizens who are
concerned about the well being of
marine mammals and the danger the
power boat races may pose. We
observed over half a dozen animals
during this year’s races and no wildlife
was harmed.
Super Boat International
Productions, the organization that
sponsors the race, foots the $5000.00 per
race day bill for the helicopter and pilot.
Dolphin Research Center and Turtle Hospital
trained wildlife observers provide their service as
unpaid volunteers for the event.
Including the monitoring of sea turtles and
marine mammals in the safety protocols as an
integral component of the power boat races sends a
powerful message about the importance of our
wildlife. Dolphin Research Center continues to
inspire responsible stewardship of our oceans and
the animals that call it home.
By Bette Zirkelbach
At this speed, boats could never adjust to miss an
animal in the water and, if they hit one, the results
would be disastrous for the animal and the boat!
(Photo by Bette Zirkelbach)
Kiandra Doing Great! girl was transported to Seaquarium where she
received expert care from the human staff, and
was “adopted” by mature female manatees.
Dubbed Kiandra, which means “water baby”,
she thrived and was deemed ready to be released
back into the open waters in March of 2011.
Since her release, Kiandra has worn a belt
and tracking tag and has been monitored by the
Sea2Shore organization. Sea2Shore issues
regular updates on a variety of manatees that
they keep tabs on throughout the state of Florida.
We were very happy to learn that in December
Kiandra was studied back in Key Largo. Now
around four years old, she was observed doing a
variety of activities. She fed and bottom rested,
traveled around canals either alone or with
another manatee, and was also spotted milling
around with a group. All of this is perfectly
normal manatee behavior!
Cont’d on page four
It’s been over three and a half years
since Dolphin Research Center’s
Manatee Rescue Team joined forces
with the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWCC) and
Miami Seaquarium (MSQ) to rescue an
orphaned female manatee calf in Key
Largo. The dehydrated, emaciated little
Kiandra on the day of her rescue in June
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# NSC0212
Page 3 The Gray Cross
MANATEE IN DISTRESS
1-888-404-FWCC
DOLPHIN
RESEARCH
CENTER
www.dolphins.org
Licensed Manatee Rescue Team for the Florida Keys
Manatee Feeding, from page one
and grasping food since the manatee’s murky environment isn’t always
clear for finding food.
Teeth are another characteristic of manatees that are similar to cows.
Since they solely feed on plants, manatees have a set of 24 to 32 molars
for grinding down all that green matter. When their oldest teeth (front
teeth) wear down from constantly feeding, they fall out as new ones erupt
in the back. It is believed that this happens for their entire lives, which
gives them a lifelong conveyor belt of teeth. They are one of only two
animals that have this unique horizontal tooth replacement, along with a
species of kangaroo.
Like all animals, manatees have a lifestyle that revolves around food.
It is extremely important that they are able to attend to that necessity as
well as other aspects of their lives. When humans try to interact with these
animals by bringing out lettuce and leaving water hoses on to attract them,
it becomes detrimental to their everyday survival. As you have learned,
manatees are hungry animals and will eat at any opportunity. If they start
to associate humans with positive things like food and water they will
continue to seek out interaction with us and may abandon their natural
feeding behaviors. This is not safe for them because humans come with
boats and other hazards. It is best to let these amazing creatures live their
natural lives filled with food and fun and admire them from a distance.
By Hannah Royal
(Ed note: Hannah completed an internship in DRC’s Education
Department in the Fall of 2011. She has since joined our Guest Services
staff.)
Once a manatee learns that hoses are easy sources of
water, its tempted to repeat the behavior — which ulti-
mately can lure it into a danger zone. Offering manatees
food or water is illegal! (Photo by Susan Sorensen)