On Wednesday, we began our day by identifying individual dolphins that we saw on our dolphin trip yesterday. We positively ID’d Romeo (#10), Lil’ Jess (#35), Swoosh (#36), Prince William (#64), un-named #99. It was easier for us to make the IDs than on our first practice day – maybe we’re getting better! It also showed us a bit of what a fission-fusion society is like and we noticed that yesterday Romeo & Prince William were often in the same photograph.
After photo-ID work, we had a lecture on ecotourism.
After breakfast, our Tuesday began with a heated debate on dolphin hunting…we ended up negotiating! Sustainability & humane turned out to be the key words. Typical Canadians! Overall, the conversation forced us to look at the issue from different angles and perspectives: for us, it isn’t a black and white issue.
After our debate, we watched a short video from the Bimini Blue Coalition documenting the current construction project off Bimini, as well as summary points from the project’s own Environmental Impact Assessment.
On Monday morning, we had a guest lecture from Dr. Justin Gregg, “Are Dolphins Really Smart?” Dr. Gregg joined us via Skype and shared a lot of information, including a definition of intelligence: how closely a thing’s behavior resembles the behavior of an adult human. He gave us an introduction of the study of intelligence including the work of Dr. Lilly (wow). We learned about EQ – and the challenges of using EQ as a measure of intelligence.
We woke up Sunday to rain, but most had already passed to the other side of the island. The rest of the day was just windy – but it meant we had a little boat that couldn’t. We spent the morning in various lectures: introduction to DCP and the dolphins around Bimini, plus photo-identification. In the afternoon, we headed to Pigeon Cay, a mangrove island just on the other side of the Bimini harbor.
I’m happy to welcome this year’s crop of students from the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ). I hope you enjoy reading their field reports, throughout the week! ~Kel
On Saturday, six of us wrapped up our time at the SharkLab while three of us made our way from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini (two without luggage ;-(. We waited at the airport for 2 hours, sorting out departing students and waiting for the arriving students.
DCP's Bimini research will make an appearance
in the third episode of the new PBS/NOVA series Inside Animal Minds,
which airs on April 23rd. Kel, Kathleen, and Justin should all make an
appearance, as well as a number of our adopt-a-wild-dolphins
and the MVA. If you live in the US, be sure to watch the episode,
and/or check out the whole series - it looks like it's going to be
awesome! Here's a link to the learn more about the series.
Yippee! Another issue of The Dolphin Gazette is here!
What will your favorite article be?
We're always excited to share each new issue of The Dolphin Gazette and this issue is no different! As Kathleen welcomes readers on page 1, you can know that information on our next RIMS eco-tour, our Bimini research season prep, a field course opportunity and Justin's upcoming appearance at the Hay Festival are all waiting for you. So, happy reading!
Click here to read The Dolphin Gazette 18.1.
We are pleased to begin accepting applications for our 2014 summer internship program! This summer, 1-2 interns will be accepted to join DCP both at our Connecticut, USA office and at our Bimini, Bahamas field site. Applications are due 21 February 2014.
All the details can be found by clicking here.
Happy New Year!
I'm delighted to share with you deta
DCP will return to RIMS in Roatan, Honduras in October 2014, to continue our studies of the bottlenose dolphins residing near Bailey's Key.