*Content warning: As the title indicates, this talk discusses manatee deaths. Language and images may be upsetting to some viewers. As such, this talk is recommended for mature audiences.*
Manatees are dying in record numbers in Florida, largely because of a progressive seagrass die-off in the Indian River Lagoon.
What: University-level field course in dolphin ecology, biology & behavior
Where: Through Sacred Heart University (SHU); 1st & Last weeks online;
Our last morning session with the dolphins started with a greeting by all of them at the water taxi stand, which announced what followed. Everyone also seemed to greet Kathleen and Manon on the blue platform before entry. Only Champ and Stan were hanging on their own in the back area. Ronnie, French and Lenca were with everyone in the main lagoon.
Our morning data collection session started promptly at 6:30 AM. On our way to Bailey’s Key, we saw a vivid rainbow that was full and went from one side of the key to the other – and it began mostly in the red colors! A great way to start the day!
Ronnie was first to greet Kathleen on entry followed soon by Tilly and Sandy. The visibility was good and the dolphins were social with each other. Poli had Gracie’s calf and even Sandy stayed with Poli and Gracie’s calf for a bit of time.
It started with a 40-minute morning session with the MVA! French and Champ greeted us from the deep area of the back lagoon (you can see their ‘smiles’ in the cover photo!) The underwater visibility was awesome (!) and the seaweed had moved away – for the early morning! There was much social activity. Ronnie was in the main lagoon with the mom/calf pairs and the juveniles. Poli was with Calli and Woody often. Alita was with Elli and her calf and Buzz was with them or playing with Rocky.
Seaweed, that is! Wow was there lots of seaweed today … all over the inner lagoon between Anthony’s Key and Bailey’s Key as well as in and around the dolphin lagoon.
The morning session offered excellent underwater visibility and the seas and wind had calmed down significantly since yesterday. Added to this was a group of dolphins being very social with each other! In the cover photo, you can see Lenca and Stan greet me after getting in to begin my underwater observations! Rocky did a barrel-roll while swimming above Maury across the lagoon.
We tried! The wind and waves were high this morning, but we persevered and trekked to Bailey’s Key in the water taxi. It took us twice to land at the dock at Bailey’s and the current seemed strong, even though the dolphins were playful and surfing (which should have been our first indication that the water was moving fast!). As we got the camera ready, we watched Champ chase Elli and her calf in the shallows.
Don joined us for data collection at 6:30 AM … our ride to Bailey’s Key was smooth, even though there seemed to be a building sea just outside the cut. There was little current and good visibility for the morning data collection. The dolphins were playful but with very low surface activity. Mr. French investigated Kathleen’s fins for quite some time, and Sandy and Tilly tried to entice Manon to sea grass games.
We began the day with a very dynamic data collection session. French and Champ were in the main lagoon with the mother/calf pairs and Ronnie, Poli, Lenca, and Stan were in the shallow and deep areas. The CSU students did their last morning data collection session under a cloudless sky with calm seas … The dolphins were mostly quiet at the surface, at least on space use scans. Still, we saw some chasing and some leaps by the younger calves. Kathleen saw Woody nursing and Mr. French spent time buzzing her fins.
Early AM data collection on the dolphins was quiet today – there was little activity at the surface and some action underwater. Still, it was a great day to watch the dolphins and it was not raining.
We had a brief breakfast and then went on a boat snorkel – we boated to the West End area and snorkeled on a lovely reef with lots of fish.
Whether you’re a young student interested in learning more about dolphin biology, a college student looking for internship experiences working with dolphins, or a seasoned researcher hoping to connect with colleagues on topics of dolphin behavior, ecology, or cognition, you’ve come to the right place.
The Dolphin Communication Project charitable solicitation number ch42894, meets all requirements specified by the florida solicitation of contributions act. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state of florida, or 850-410-3800 when calling outside the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.
