Dolphin 1258 feeds on a sea robin in Sarasota Bay in June 2026. Advancing quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) for cetacean diet estimation: Methodological evaluation and ecological application Ph.D. abstract by Theresa-Anne Marie Tatom-Naecker Quantifying cetacean diet is critical for understanding ecological and physiological processes but remains inherently challenging. Quantitative fatty
Dolphin 6741, the 2025 calf of 1674, is shown here with a fresh shark bite wound we observed in September 2025. Did you know that in addition to studying dolphins, we also study sharks in collaboration with Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sharks and Rays Conservation Research Program? That’s because we
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation of Dolphin Researchers After founding the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program and directing it for nearly six decades, Dr. Randy Wells is passing the leadership role to Deputy Director Dr. Katie McHugh. Dear Friends, I’m writing today to share news about some changes taking
Meet the 2026 Sarasota Bay Dolphin Calves! On May 1, 2026, we spotted the first calf of the year. 22-year-old Mom, Keeley (F209), had her sixth documented calf. Keeley is the granddaughter to Rebecca (FB55). Rebecca's mom, W-2 (FB05), was first identified in 1971. Interestingly, the place we saw Keeley and her
New Research Shows Human Activity Can Reshape Dolphin Social Lives Study of Sarasota Bay bottlenose dolphins finds human-linked foraging and red tide events influence how dolphins associate with one another Wild dolphins are known for their complex social lives, but new research shows those social networks can be influenced by human activity.
In April 2026, members of our team traveled to the Galápagos, a UNESCO World Heritage site. There, we (Aaron Barleycorn, field manager and senior researcher, staff scientist Dr. Krystan Wilkinson, and I) worked with the Cetacea Galapagos Program from the Galapagos Science Center (GSC) to attach satellite-linked tags to bottlenose dolphins using the TADpole
Remembering Ralph Arden On Feb. 6, 2026, we were saddened by the death of our friend and longest-serving volunteer, Ralph Arden, after an extended battle with cancer. Ralph first engaged with the SDRP as a volunteer in 1975, by way of being one of my college roommates and a sailing buddy. Ralph (pictured
A team uses a seine net to capture fish in Sarasota Bay. The fish are released after they are catalogued as part of our prey fish studies, which began in 2004. Notes from the Lab and Field: Prey Fish Surveys Help Us Understand Dolphins Did you know that
A Nighttime Rescue in Crystal River Capt. Justin Dymond of Florida Bowfishing Adventures in Crystal River contacted Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) in December to report that a dolphin he had been seeing regularly during his nighttime bow-and-arrow fishing charters had line wrapped around its tail fluke. Dymond uses a bright
Notes from the Lab and Field: 2025 Dolphin Community Update January 2026 Happy New Year! A new year begins, and we have been able to conduct the first of our Sarasota Bay monthly dolphin surveys under excellent conditions, before the arrival of a series of cold fronts with strong winds. I’m pleased to
