Ginger: Healthy After Rehab
On December 16, 2008 a newly independent, 3-year old dolphin stranded near the SDRP lab. Taken to Mote Marine Dolphin and Whale Hospital, she was nicknamed “Ginger” (short for Gingerbread) because she stranded so close to the holidays.
Ginger being treated and supported by Mote Dolphin Hospital staff, volunteers, and SDRP staff
While in rehab, she was fed live pinfish, a common local dolphin prey species. Live local fish were fed to help Ginger have a smooth transition back into the wild. The fish were introduced each day without humans in sight, to keep Ginger from associating humans with food.
After two months of treatment, Ginger was healthy enough to release back into the wild. She was outfitted with a small radio tag, so SDRP researchers could monitor her closely for the next few months.
Ginger was released back into Sarasota Bay in front of a large crowd of well-wishers in February 2009. She even wowed the crowd with a few high leaps soon after release. This was a good sign that she had the strength to survive.
Sightings of Ginger before stranding (blue) and after release (red).
During 2 months of follow-up monitoring, she was tracked nearly every day. During that time she was seen behaving and feeding normally, in places she had been observed prior to stranding.
Since the end of radio tracking in April 2009, Ginger has been seen during regular dolphin surveys of Sarasota Bay. Her range has increased, and she has been observed interacting with other dolphins, including her mother and new sibling from time to time.
A health assessment was performed on Ginger in May 2010. This is the first time a rehabilitated dolphin has been evaluated by veterinarians after being returned to the wild. She was found to be in excellent condition and appears to have re-adapted quite well to life in the wild.
All photos © Sarasota Dolphin Research Program under NMFS permit #522-1785
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