|
|
|
 |
 Cetacean
Facilities |
 |
Stranded cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are among
The Marine Mammal Center's most critical patients. Due to their
weight and anatomical structure, which is designed to support
them in the water, cetaceans cannot survive beached on land
for very long. Most stranded cetaceans do not survive more than
twenty-four hours due to complications associated with stranding
as well as the illnesses that were responsible for the stranding.
Nevertheless, Center staff and volunteers do everything we can
to rescue these amazing animals.
Experienced volunteers, specially trained in cetacean rescue
techniques, respond quickly to stranded animals. Once rescued
from the beach, cetaceans are placed in special transport containers
or on thick foam mattresses and driven to The Center. At the
hospital, cetaceans are housed in a 24-foot diameter, soft-sided
pool. The pool's soft sides help reduce injury as the disoriented
animal adjusts to its new surroundings. Because cetaceans depend
on salt water to maintain the integrity of their skin, help
with buoyancy, and prevent eye problems, this pool is one of
the few at The Center that is salinated.
Most stranded cetaceans suffer from a variety of conditions
such as pneumonia and musculoskeletal problems that compromise
their ability to float normally in the water. Therefore, a variety
of slings have been designed to assist animals in maintaining
their buoyancy and keeping their blowhole above water. Experienced
volunteers, specially trained in cetacean care procedures, monitor
and care for the animals round-the-clock.
|
|
|
