Scientists to Discuss Dolphin, Whale, and Manatee Research Efforts at Marine Mammal Symposium; Photo Available 3/24/2004
From: Mark Schrope of the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 772-465-2400 ext. 433 or schrope@hboi.edu News Advisory: Scientists will gather this weekend at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in Ft. Pierce, Fla., for the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic Marine Mammal Symposium (SEAMAMMS) to exchange notes on current dolphin, whale, and manatee research efforts. The group will discuss, among other topics, research programs supported by the Protect Florida Dolphins Florida specialty license plate. Besides over $930,000 in proceeds to support marine mammal projects at institutions around the state, the plate also funds research programs at Harbor Branch aimed at monitoring the health of dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon and rescuing stranded and injured dolphins, such as Lazarus, pictured above. With assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies, marine mammal specialists from Harbor Branch rescued Lazarus, an orphaned baby bottlenose dolphin, after he was attacked by a shark and stranded near Ponce Inlet in 2002. He was then nursed back to health through 8 months of bottle feeding and around-the-clock care at HARBOR BRANCH, which administers the dolphin plate program. ------ Photo Editors: A high resolution, publication-ready photo supporting this release is available for free editorial use at http://www.wirepix.com/newsphotos/USN/ ------ For more information, please contact Mark Schrope, Harbor Branch Oceanographic, 772-216-0390, schrope@hboi.edu. Additional photos are available. To learn more about the SEAMAMMS conference, please see: http://www.hboi.edu/marinemam/seamamms.html For more information about the Protect Wild Dolphins program, please see: http://www.protectwilddolphins.org | |