The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program:
Our Approach to Helping Dolphins
Our Approach to Helping Dolphins
We conduct the longest-running study of a wild dolphin population in the world and have been learning about the daily lives and threats to the dolphins of Sarasota Bay, Florida, since our program began in October 1970.
Today, we share our knowledge through national and international collaborations designed to help conserve wild dolphin populations — not just in Florida and in the U.S., but throughout the world.
Our goal with every research and conservation project that we undertake locally, nationally and internationally is to contribute to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of dolphin, whale, and porpoise populations, as well as the natural and human-induced factors that impact them.
UNCOVERING
THE SECRET LIVES OF
DOLPHINS
We’ve documented six generations of dolphins in Sarasota Bay, including the oldest-known wild dolphin in the world. Nicklo lived to age 67.
50 years of study has given us an unparalleled window into the world of wild dolphins. Our home base, Sarasota Bay, Florida, is a unique natural laboratory where we have spent a half-century studying their lives — we know their lineages, their companions, their favorite hangouts and even their eating habits. We’ve borne witness to hundreds of dolphin births and been there to learn what we could from dolphin deaths.
These coastal dolphins are a permanent community — our neighbors — whose lives are helping us to understand dolphin populations throughout the world.
THREATS TO WILD
DOLPHINS
DOLPHINS
As top predators in their environments, dolphins face few natural threats. But locally and worldwide, they face numerous threats from anthropogenic — human induced — causes. One part of our mission is to help educate people like you on how you can help keep wild dolphins safe.
Newsletter SIGN UP!
Sign up for our monthly enewsletter to learn more about the dolphins we study and how you can make a difference in their lives.
DONATE!
Donors help make it possible for us to conduct the scientific research needed to develop dolphin conservation plans and educate people on how they can help wild dolphin communities. You can help us put what we’ve learned into action and improve the lives of dolphins in Sarasota Bay and throughout the world simply by making a donation today. Thank you for your support!
WHERE WE WORK
Conservation or Research Project
Graduate Student Theses
Consulting/Advising 
Dolphin Tracking
FEATURES
Taking Lessons From Sarasota Abroad
This 2008 photo shows researchers preparing to release a tagged franciscana dolphin in Argentina.
SDRP Earns Disney Conservation Hero Award
SDRP staff includes (top row, in the tower) Jonathan Crossman, Dr. Katie McHugh; (middle
When the Prey is Gone
When the Prey is Gone Gaining a fuller understanding of dolphins also means studying how they interact with
When Dolphins and Freshwater Mix
What Happens When Dolphins and Freshwater Mix? Prolonged exposure to freshwater is linked to adverse
Exploring Microbiomes
Exploring Microbiomes The science of understanding microbiomes has received increasing attention over the past few
Seagrass Matters
Seagrass Matters This summer (2021), we've continued our purse-seine catch-and-release fish surveys in Sarasota Bay.
Dolphins & Hurricane Season
Dolphins & Hurricanes One question we’re frequently asked is what dolphins do during hurricanes. The
What is happening to the dolphins near Piney Point?
What is Happening to the Dolphins Near Piney Point? We're monitoring the dolphin community near Port Manatee for
Crunch! Understanding Eagle Ray Diets
Crunch! Understanding Eagle Ray Diets For the first time, a team of researchers has demonstrated
Uncovering Spotted Eagle Ray Migrations Along Florida’s Coastlines
Uncovering Spotted Eagle Ray Migrations Along Florida’s Coastlines A new study is providing insights into
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is “to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature.”