October 20, 2015
When I was looking
for a new warmer home, one of the main reasons I picked the Sarasota area was
because of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. This amazing organization is
home to all types of marine research and they also rehabilitate dolphins and
other small cetaceans as well as sea turtles. I’ve missed working hands on with
animals and wanted to get involved with the rehab program at Mote. I attended
their animal handling training in 2013, but they had not admitted a stranded dolphin
since.
 |
Bottlenose dolphin - not Feeny
|
That changed on
Sept. 17, when Feeny, an adult male bottlenose dolphin, stranded in Tampa Bay.
He was rescued and transported to Mote in critical condition. He was
underweight and showed signs of infection, anemia, dehydration and pneumonia as
well as other metabolic abnormalities.
Feeny had first been
identified as an adult in 1988 by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, which
is a collaboration between Mote Marine Laboratory and the Chicago Zoological
Society. This means that he was at least in his 30s when he stranded.
There are a few female bottlenose in Sarasota Bay that are in their early 60s.
When Feeny first
arrived, people had to hold him up in the water, but soon he was swimming on
his own and eating the fish that were thrown to him. Mote staff and volunteers
provided round the clock supportive care with antibiotics, other medication and
food, and his conditioned was constantly monitored with diagnostic tests.
I was privileged to
spend three four-hour shifts with Feeny over two weeks. I recorded his
movements, respiration, play with devices in the water, vocalizations, urine or
feces and anything else of note. He was swimming strong and eating all the fish
he was offered. I sent him healing energy and encouraged him to eat and build
up his strength so he could be released in a month or so.
Unfortunately, Feeny
took a sudden turn and died on October 11th. Ultrasound examinations
and blood tests revealed that his blood cells were not regenerating. The
medical staff will do a full necropsy to see what else contributed to his
death.
I am so happy to have
the opportunity to help in these situations and support this organization. The hospitals
at Mote have treated 72 dolphins and whales since 1992 and more than 450 sea
turtles since 1995, always with the goal of releasing rehabilitated animals to
the wild. This critical care means much more than helping an animal in need —
it also supports a better understanding of marine animal health, helping
to inform both veterinary care and conservation of these animals in the wild. If
you are interested in reading about this wonderful place, go to www.mote.org.
We were not allowed to
take any photos of Feeny while he was in rehab, but here’s two short videos
that you may enjoy. Blessings dear Feeny
– swim free.
