Category: Blog & Field Reports

DCP is very excited about our poster presentation at the World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona, Spain. Lead author and long-time DCP assistant/student, Nicole presented our work on associations among the spotted dolphins off Bimini. If you saw the poster in person, thank you for your interest in learning more!

Abstract:

This study is the first to investigate the social patterns of a population of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) off Bimini, The Bahamas, during a 14-year period (2003-2016). We generated association indices and conducted cluster, network, and temporal analyses using SOCPROG 2.8.

Adopt-a-wild-dolphin Holiday Bundle 2019!

Order by 12/19 for expected delivery* by 12/25 with free, standard shipping.

Order by 12/21 for expected delivery* by 12/25 with expedited shipping (additional fee).

*To US address. DCP can ship to non-US addresses, but cannot estimate arrival dates.

It’s time to put a little more dolphin in your life by purchasing a dolphin-themed gift that will also help support dolphin science and conservation. The Dolphin Communication Project is offering a very special, limited edition Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin Holiday Bundle this holiday season.

Thanks for visiting our poster at the 2019 World Marine Mammal Conference. We’re excited you wanted to learn more.

DCP has been studying bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins off Bimini, The Bahamas since 2001. In 2014, we published a short note on the evidence of failed shark attacks on the spotted dolphins. Now, we’ve conducted a similar assessment on the sympatric bottlenose.

At least 28.7% of catalogued bottlenose dolphins had at least one injury or scar that could confidently be atttributed to a shark.

Friday was less windy but still a very full day! We were able to complete three sessions with each dolphin (hurray!) following our revised research protocol. We shifted our focus to assessing what preference the dolphins might have for each symbol (circle vs. star) and also identified a roster of ‘rewards’ for each symbol that the trainers currently consider “a little” or “a lot” for each specific dolphin. To rewind a bit – we we receiving results that were perplexing when coordinating training to assess whether the dolphins would consistently select the star (a lot).

We had a wild ride on the ferry into Blue Lagoon Island on Thursday because of a rolling well and high winds. It was a reminder of just how unpredictable the ocean can be to folks who spend their lives on and around it!

We were able to conduct four sessions with Zig and Ludwig and to see if Finn might participate a bit in these request sessions. That is, we are looking to see if the dolphins will show a preference between two symbols – a circle and a star.

It’s baaaaaaack! Your chance to get a DCP shirt! This year, our adult short sleeve (5 colors) and adult long sleeve (white & gray) feature a throwback to DCP’s original logo. 2020 is our 20th Anniversary!

Women’s tanks (2 styles, 4 colors each) and UPF50 rashguards (4 colors) are also available featuring our current logo.

This special order period ends on Monday (Nov 18th). Shirts and bundles are expected to ship ~26 December. So, while they won’t arrive for Christmas & Hanukkah, they will be worth the wait.

On Wednesday, we were able to conduct 4 sessions each with Ludwig and Zig for the delay gratification early training (to assess preference between the circle and star) and we also were able to get 3 sessions with Finn. It was a productive day and in this photo, you can see Heather and Te-Shalla setting up for a session with Ludwig.

Heather and I arrived to Nassau on Tuesday afternoon for our current few days of data collection on the dolphins at Blue Lagoon Island home of Dolphin Encounters (DE). We met up with Annette, Director of Education and Staff Development, to confirm the logistics of our visit.

DCP is teaching several field courses at our Roatan field site. But, there is ONLY course with space available:

7 – 14 March 2020, Field Course in Animal Behavior & Psychology, in collaboration with St. Mary’s University (StMU)

Remaining spaces are now open to non-StMU students. The course is taught by DCP’s Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski and StMU Professor, Dr. Heather Hill. Tuition credits with StMU are not included, but are not required. Cost per student is $1550 (USD). This includes lodging, food, instruction and a dolphin swim and encounter. Tuition credits and airfare are not included.

Dr. Deirdre Yeater is gearing up for her 7th field course with DCP, at our Bimini, The Bahamas field site. Field dates are May 26 – June 1, 2020. All participants must take the course for SHU credit, but with online and field components, non-SHU students are welcome & encouraged to apply.