Saving SpringerHow NOAA helped an orca go home

Lesson 4. What should we do?

Mark Sears

NOAA

Global Research and Rescue

What should we do?What will you learn?

How NOAA decided what to do about Springer

How several groups worked together on a solution

Springer’s health assessment

Stranding networks

Mark Sears

What should we do?Next Steps for Springer

Now that we know who Springer is…

What should we do?

What are the options…

Mark Sears

What should we do? Options

Leave Springer alone No action

Rehabilitate Springer At an aquarium In a Puget Sound

facility Return Springer to

her family

Mark Sears

What should we do? NOAA asks community

Town meeting Options and risks

discussed Risk to pod Risk to Springer

Many different opinions

If you were at the town meeting, what

would you say?

Mark Sears

What should we do? NOAA asks community

A young boy was the first person to say that Springer might be lost, and should be returned

to her family.

Mark Sears

What should we do? Decision: Rescue!

While Springer’s health is checked, she will stay in a pen at Manchester, WA

If she is healthy, she will be returned to her pod at the north end of Vancouver Island

Mark Sears

What should we do? Project Team is formed

NOAA DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans)

now called Fisheries and Oceans Canada Vancouver Aquarium Strong community support

What should we do? Orphan Orca Fund formed

Seven non-profit groups created one organization to help NOAA Raised money Got supplies

What should we do? Kids helped too!

Students made posters and helped collect donations

Gave money at places like the Seattle Aquarium Money helped buy

supplies for the project

Thank you!

Mark Sears

What should we do? The day of the rescue

Team loaded her onto a sling

Moved to boat and then to holding pen

Kept her calm Monitored her

healthNOAA

What should we do? Is She Healthy?

Collect information from Springer Size Blood samples Breath Fecal samples

Compare to normal

What should we do? Health test - Size

Length Adult male = 30 ft Adult female = 23 ft Newborn calf = 7 ft Springer = ?

What should we do? Health test - Blood

Method: Get blood sample from tail fluke View blood sample under microscope Look at blood cell shape, size, number

Results: viruses or other diseases, or healthy blood Morbillivirus Canine brucellis

Springer’s results = ?

What should we do? Health test - Breath Odor

Method: Sniff breath exhaled from blowhole Results:

Fishy smell = normal “Acetone” smell = ketosis

Ketosis is a sign of sickness and/or starvation.

Springer’s results = ?

What should we do? Health test – Fecal samples

Method: Collect fecal samples with net Results: Compare to normal

Texture (Lumpy? Smooth?) Color (Brown? Green?) Worms or other organisms

Springer’s results = ?

What should we do? Next steps for Springer

Keeping her healthy Keeping her wild The journey home…

What should we do? NOAA’s role

Scientists Monitored Springer’s health Identified issues and possible outcomes Participated in rescue

Managers Considered options Formed team Involved community Planned and carried out rescue Collaborated with DFO (Canada) during planning

What should we do? Community Role

Shared opinions Meetings Newspaper

Formed Orphan Orca Fund Raised money Got supplies

Helped monitor Springer Kept boats away

What should we do? Activities

You’re the Vet Stranding Networks