We recently had a manuscript accepted by the Journal of Mammalogy reporting the potential use of whistles as indicators of stress in bottlenose dolphins. In particular, we examined the possibility that parameters of bottlenose dolphin signature whistles may serve as indicators of some level of stress. Bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, have been recorded [...]

Stress has been defined as an environmental effect on an individual that overtaxes its functional abilities. The diversity of stress responses among marine mammals makes it difficult to develop a comprehensive diagnostic protocol to evaluate stress. The development of a relatively non-invasive tool with which to evaluate stress in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) could allow [...]

The welfare of an organism, or the state of an animal in relation to how it attempts to cope with its environment, is often related to the stress that it experiences (Broom and Johnson 1993). The diversity and limited observation of stress responses among marine mammals makes it difficult to develop a comprehensive diagnostic protocol. [...]