DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050 www.dolphins.org ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit corporation specializing in education and research. DRC is a tax-exempt organization, and as such, all donations, monetary or otherwise, are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Page 4 The Gray Cross

THANK YOU! The Florida Keys are beautiful, but the salt water

and hot sun are tough on equipment Thank you for

all you do to make sure that we have what we need

to help the endangered Florida Manatee.

Wish List Items Needed

Hoop Net - $450

Foam Pads (2) - $520

Waterproof Gear Bags (2) - $200

CPR Course (5 staff) - $250

Strap fins (2 pair) - $150.00

Net Bucket—$1500.00

Protective bladders to

waterproof radios (6) - $250.00

Rash Guard Shirts—$1250.00

Animal rescue requires specialized equipment

to not only increase our chances for success, but

also to help us operate with the utmost safety for

the team as well as the manatees.

We could not do these rescue missions

without the generous assistance you provide.

You may donate money for these specific

items, or make a general donation to the Dolphin

Research Center Manatee Rescue Team.

For more information, contact the

Membership Department at 305-289-1121, ext. 229, or email drc-mbr@dolphins.org!

Kiandra, from page two

Her tag was recently exchanged and they’ll continue to keep an eye on her

for awhile, but the youngster is clearly in good shape! This is the kind of great

news that we love to hear. It’s terrific to know that a baby we helped to rescue is

healthy and doing well out on her own. Every healthy manatee is one that can

help the future of its species. Go, Kiandra!

We certainly wish that we only ever heard good news, but unfortunately,

that’s not the case. Shortly before Christmas, manatee biologist Kit Curtin called

us with a sad report. The body of Nibbles, the two year old son of our old friend

Dually, was discovered in Key Largo. Although results of a necropsy are not yet

known, his injuries were consistent with a boat strike.

His death is a poignant reminder that humans are the biggest threat to the

well being of marine life. Accidents might happen, but all too often, we see

boaters who ignore posted speed zones and go far faster than necessary or legal.

What’s the rush? It’s certainly worth taking a little extra time to protect the lives

of our precious manatees.

By Mary Stella

The marks on Nibbles in this photo from March 2011 shows

that he’d already had a run-in with a boat propeller. How

sad that another boat strike ultimately caused his death.

(Photo by Kit Curtin)

DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER 58901 Overseas Highway Grassy Key, FL 33050

www.dolphins.org

The Gray Cross A Quarterly Publication of DOLPHIN RESEARCH CENTER

Volume 15, Number 1 2012

DRC Takes to the Skies to Protect Manatees

Manatee Feeding Practices

Manatees sometimes use their flippers to guide

food into their mouths..

(Photo by Susan Sorensen)

The observers spotted this manatee swimming

too close to the race course and alerted

officials so that the race could be temporarily

halted. (Photo by Bette Zirkelbach)

Dolphins frolic in the waves, a sea turtle lingers at the ocean’s surface,

basking in the warmth of the sun, and a manatee swims along the seawall foraging

for its meal. A helicopter circles two hundred feet overhead as its passengers keep

close eyes on these magnificent marine creatures and monitor their proximity to the

race course.

Bottlenose dolphins, manatees and sea turtles are all found in the Key West

Harbor. This area annually hosts the Key West World Championship Power Boat

races. The aptly named offshore boats power through the waves at speeds up to 200

mph! This year marked the 30th anniversary of the World Championships in Key

West. Mandy Rodriguez, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Dolphin

Research Center, has worked closely with Richie Moretti, Director of the Turtle

Hospital, for ten-plus years to help keep our marine critters safe. November 2001 in

Key West was the first time a helicopter was used solely for wildlife observation

during a boat race. Airborne wildlife monitors from Dolphin Research Center and

the Turtle Hospital work directly with the Super Boat International race officials to

observe and prevent manatees, sea turtles and dolphins from being struck by boats.

I joined Richie Moretti for my fourth year as a monitor to keep watchful eyes

over this year’s races. We flew in an open, door-less, Robinson R-44 helicopter,

Cont’d page two

The lifestyle of a manatee is something to be envied by many humans; eating

half the day away and spending the rest sleeping it off. It is a rough life for these

large aquatic mammals that can spend up to eight hours a day eating. These gentle

giants are unique because, unlike other marine mammals, they are herbivores and

feed only on aquatic plants.

The Florida Manatee feeds on up to 60 different types of plants found

submerged, floating, or growing in and around their coastal habitats. Such plants can

include sea grasses, mangrove leaves & seedlings, acorns, algae, hyacinth, water

lettuce, and hydrilla. An average adult manatee can eat up to 10% of its body weight

in one day! They eat such a large amount to make up for the lack of protein they

receive from their diets. Humans consume high protein, high calorie meals and

therefore do not need to spend the majority of the day eating. Manatees, in contrast,

consume food that is high fiber but low in protein which is why they compensate

with eating large quantities every day.

Manatees are often called “sea cows” despite having no relation with the land

mammal. However, their eating styles are comparable. You could think of the

manatee as an underwater lawn mower. This is because they do not pull up plants

and uproot them; they simply give the plants a good trimming. If a manatee can

reach something, it will be eaten! Although they spend their entire lives in water

they can stretch above the water’s surface in order to reach a tasty meal. A muscular,

maneuverable upper lip covered in small sensitive hairs aids in feeling around for

Cont’d on page three

THE GRAY CROSS

Dolphin Research Center is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to a better understanding of marine mammals and the environment we share. DRC is home to a colony of dolphins and sea lions where we conduct innovative research and offer many interactive, educational programs. Beyond our lagoons, we are the only private organization in the Florida Keys licensed to respond to manatees in distress. We are actively involved in our community providing outreach presentations on a variety of conservation subjects. The Gray Cross evolved from our work with stranded marine mammals. DRC’s critical care program is world renowned. Our experience with dolphins, whales and sea lions is used to help the endangered Florida Manatee. DRC has also participated in rescue and release of endangered sea turtles. As a not-for-profit organization, contributions to DRC are welcomed and tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. For more information, visit our website at www.dolphins.org, call (305) 289-1121 extension 229 or send an email to drc-mbr@dolphins.org.

Page 2 The Gray Cross

Skies, from page one

piloted by retired Navy airman, Philip

Douglas. For an hour before the race,

during each of the races, and one hour

after the final race, we scouted for

animals. At one point, when we spotted

a manatee swimming close to the course,

we delayed a race for 45 minutes. The

action resumed when we deemed the

manatee was out of harm’s way, 300 feet

outside of the track.

If a sea turtle or manatee enters the

track during a race, as wildlife observers

we alert race control. Race control

notifies the drivers to avoid the area. We

drop down in the helicopter closer to the

water and hover over the animal,

providing a clear marker for the boat

drivers. This helicopter, that is devoted

to wildlife protection, has become a

welcome sight to local citizens who are

concerned about the well being of

marine mammals and the danger the

power boat races may pose. We

observed over half a dozen animals

during this year’s races and no wildlife

was harmed.

Super Boat International

Productions, the organization that

sponsors the race, foots the $5000.00 per

race day bill for the helicopter and pilot.

Dolphin Research Center and Turtle Hospital

trained wildlife observers provide their service as

unpaid volunteers for the event.

Including the monitoring of sea turtles and

marine mammals in the safety protocols as an

integral component of the power boat races sends a

powerful message about the importance of our

wildlife. Dolphin Research Center continues to

inspire responsible stewardship of our oceans and

the animals that call it home.

By Bette Zirkelbach

At this speed, boats could never adjust to miss an

animal in the water and, if they hit one, the results

would be disastrous for the animal and the boat!

(Photo by Bette Zirkelbach)

Kiandra Doing Great! girl was transported to Seaquarium where she

received expert care from the human staff, and

was “adopted” by mature female manatees.

Dubbed Kiandra, which means “water baby”,

she thrived and was deemed ready to be released

back into the open waters in March of 2011.

Since her release, Kiandra has worn a belt

and tracking tag and has been monitored by the

Sea2Shore organization. Sea2Shore issues

regular updates on a variety of manatees that

they keep tabs on throughout the state of Florida.

We were very happy to learn that in December

Kiandra was studied back in Key Largo. Now

around four years old, she was observed doing a

variety of activities. She fed and bottom rested,

traveled around canals either alone or with

another manatee, and was also spotted milling

around with a group. All of this is perfectly

normal manatee behavior!

Cont’d on page four

It’s been over three and a half years

since Dolphin Research Center’s

Manatee Rescue Team joined forces

with the Florida Fish and Wildlife

Conservation Commission (FWCC) and

Miami Seaquarium (MSQ) to rescue an

orphaned female manatee calf in Key

Largo. The dehydrated, emaciated little

Kiandra on the day of her rescue in June

Yes! I would like to make a contribution to Dolphin Research Center’s Manatee Rescue Team and their efforts to save an endangered species. __$10 $15 $25 $35 $50 Other $ Donations can be mailed to DRC, 58901 Overseas Hwy, Grassy Key, FL 33050, made online at www.dolphins.org or faxed to (305) 743-7627. Thank you!

Name: ____________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City: ____________________ State: ____ Zip: _________ Country: _____________

Type of Payment: (Please make checks payable to Dolphin Research Center.)

___ Check (US Funds) ____ Money Order (US Funds)

Credit Card: ____ VISA ____ MasterCard ____ Discover ____ Amex

Card # __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ Expires: __ __ /__ __

Signature of Cardholder: ________________________________________________

For more information about the Gray Cross and Dolphin Research Center, call 305-289-1121 extension 229. SC# NSC0212

Page 3 The Gray Cross

MANATEE IN DISTRESS

1-888-404-FWCC

DOLPHIN

RESEARCH

CENTER

www.dolphins.org

Licensed Manatee Rescue Team for the Florida Keys

Manatee Feeding, from page one

and grasping food since the manatee’s murky environment isn’t always

clear for finding food.

Teeth are another characteristic of manatees that are similar to cows.

Since they solely feed on plants, manatees have a set of 24 to 32 molars

for grinding down all that green matter. When their oldest teeth (front

teeth) wear down from constantly feeding, they fall out as new ones erupt

in the back. It is believed that this happens for their entire lives, which

gives them a lifelong conveyor belt of teeth. They are one of only two

animals that have this unique horizontal tooth replacement, along with a

species of kangaroo.

Like all animals, manatees have a lifestyle that revolves around food.

It is extremely important that they are able to attend to that necessity as

well as other aspects of their lives. When humans try to interact with these

animals by bringing out lettuce and leaving water hoses on to attract them,

it becomes detrimental to their everyday survival. As you have learned,

manatees are hungry animals and will eat at any opportunity. If they start

to associate humans with positive things like food and water they will

continue to seek out interaction with us and may abandon their natural

feeding behaviors. This is not safe for them because humans come with

boats and other hazards. It is best to let these amazing creatures live their

natural lives filled with food and fun and admire them from a distance.

By Hannah Royal

(Ed note: Hannah completed an internship in DRC’s Education

Department in the Fall of 2011. She has since joined our Guest Services

staff.)

Once a manatee learns that hoses are easy sources of

water, its tempted to repeat the behavior — which ulti-

mately can lure it into a danger zone. Offering manatees

food or water is illegal! (Photo by Susan Sorensen)