What is a health assessment?
Dolphins selected for health assessments are lifted into the exam-boat, placed onto soft pads, and given a thorough health exam by the team of veterinarians and scientists.
All the while, the dolphin is monitored by team members, who keep the patient calm, wet, and comfortable.
The exam starts with weighing and then measurements. This is no small task since an adult Sarasota dolphins can weigh over 600 pounds and measure more than 8 feet long. We take 32 measurements, called morphometrics, so we can learn how wild dolphins grow as they mature.
Measurments taken by Program Manager Randy Wells; breath samples are collected by the late Dr. Bets Rasmussen at left.
Usually, data for multiple studies are conducted simultaneously. For instance, while the dolphin is being measured, the dolphin’s sounds are monitored constantly with a hydrophone (like a water proof microphone), and samples or data may be collected that doesn’t interfere with other activities.
Team of volunteer dolphin trainers and other experienced volunteers push away, allowing the dolphin to swim free.
Blood is taken by one of the veterinarians from a blood vessel in the tail flukes. Some of the blood is later processed in our lab, and some is sent off for special processing.
Samples are shared with other scientists and research veterinarians. Some blood samples are used to measure levels of environmental contaminants in dolphins.
After the health assessment, the dolphin is released back into the wild.
All photos © Sarasota Dolphin Research Program under NMFS permit #522-1785
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