University of Miami, Coral Gables Campus, Learning Center 110, February 10th, 12:00pm-4:00pm

MMC invites you to attend a “Basic Handling, Evaluation & Transport” class! This is the best and most comprehensive class for any new or existing volunteers to take!

Course Description:
–Introduction to the Marine Mammal Conservancy and brief history of the Stranding Network
–Brief overview of the laws and regulations protecting marine mammals
–Basic anatomy of cetaceans and terminology
–How to properly approach and hold a cetacean
–Hands-on training using a dolphin replica
–How to assist with a basic transport
–Basic rules during a stranding or rehabilitation event
–Volunteer equipment description and check list
–Basic medical evaluation of a cetacean
–Ethograms (the behaviorial study of cetaceans during a rehabilitation event)
–Activity Logs (the documentation of daily activities and scientific data collected during a rehabilitation event)
–Chain of Command
–Job descriptions and duties during a stranding event

The class will take place at the University of Miami (Main Coral Gables Campus) from 12:00pm until 4:00pm in the Learning Center Room 110 (LC110). Please email Education@MarineMammalConservancy.org with questions.

Please continue to check back as classes will be posted as they are scheduled.

As always, MMC offers these trainings tuition-free.  We ask for a $5.00 per person/class suggested donation to help recover costs of reproducing class materials for each student.  Please note the location of the class, because classes are held in many different locations!  For more information on a specific class, please click on the name of the class for a more detailed course description!

MMC periodically offers the following classes:

Basic Handling, Evaluation & Transport
Marine Mammal Rescue Equipment & Field Site Set-Up
Marine Mammal Law Class
First Response & Advanced Assessment
Advanced Transport Techniques & Protocols
Basic Necropsy Protocols & Sampling Procedures
Identifying Signs of Human Interaction
Marine Mammal Fish Kitchen, Food Preparation & Sanitary Procedures
Species Identification & Basic Behavior
Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS 100/200)
Basic Rigging, Knots & Crane Signals
Stranding & Volunteer Coordinator

Locations Periodically Offered:
Class Location: Key Largo (Marine Mammal Conservancy, 102200 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo,  FL  33037- behind the AT&T Tower at MM102, Bayside)
Class Location: Coral Gables (University of Miami, Coral Gables Campus)
Class Location: Key West (Eco-Discovery Center, Truman Annex)

Course manuals will be given to each participant (where applicable); please bring a pen to take notes and a $5.00 suggested donation to help us cover the cost of printing course materials.  For more information contact Education@MarineMammalConservancy.org.  We look forward to seeing you!

Directions to Class Locations:

Marine Mammal Conservancy is located at 102200 Overseas Hwy (MM 102) in Key Largo, take the dirt driveway on the north side of the Concrete AT&T Tower.

Eco-Discovery Center is located in the Truman Annex at the end of Southard Street in Key West.

University of Miami is located in Coral Gables.  The Learning Center is on the north end of campus.  When coming from the south on US1, turn left onto Granada Blvd (if coming from the north, turn right on Granada Blvd).  Turn left onto Pisano Ave (there is a statue at the fork).  The parking lot will be on your left just across from Doctors Hospital.

Island Dolphin Care is located at 150 Lorelane Place, Key Largo, Fl 33037
When coming into Key Largo from the north you will pass the Holiday Inn on your left at MM 100.  Start slowing down and within a block you will come to an intersection with traffic lights.  At this intersection, make a left turn across the highway.  Go one short block and make your first right hand turn.  Go another block and make your first left hand turn. This puts you on Ocean Bay Drive.  Stay on this street for 7 or 8 blocks until you come to a small bridge.  GO OVER the bridge, then turn right just after the bridge and Island Dolphin Care is on the corner.
If you are arriving from Key West or south of Key Largo, drive North on US 1 to MM99. Just past MM99 you will see flashing yellow lights over the highway. At the flashing lights, turn right on East Drive.  Go to the first stop sign and turn right on Ocean Bay Drive.  Island Dolphin Care is located about 1/3 of a mile ahead – on the right – just AFTER the small bridge.

Grab your rods, reels, and friends to join us Friday, December 14th through Sunday, December 16th for
Cactus Jack’s Backcountry Trilogy,
a Fishing Tournament benefiting the Marine Mammal Conservancy!

Catch the Trilogy!
Grand Prize for the Angler who catches the largest combined length of the three species:
Black Drum, Redfish and Trout!

Friday, December 14, 2012 – Kickoff Party
Bar Opens at 5pm/Appetizers at 5:30pm
Captain/Angler’s Meeting at 6pm

Sunday, December 16, 2012 – It’s a Family Event!
Crazy Carnival for the Family from 2pm – ‘til…
Carnival food, BBQ, bounce house, balloon pop, milk bottle toss, cornhole, silent auction & raffles.
Dinner and Awards Banquet at 6pm

Trophies Awarded:
Trilogy Champion – largest combined length of the three species: Black Drum, Redfish and Trout
1st, 2nd, 3rd Place - Redfish and Trout Categories
1st & 2nd Place – Combined Length Redfish and Trout in Youth Division
Top Guide – Awarded to Trilogy Captain

All Events at Cactus Jack’s Sports Bar & Pub, Mile Marker 104, Key Largo

Please download the entry form (CJs Trilogy Rules & Entry Form), fill it out and send it with a check to:
Key Largo Merchants Association, 103900 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

We are seeking sponsors as well as donation items for a raffle/silent auction.  If you’re able to help us out, please contact Alex@MarineMammalConservancy.org for the sponsorship form or to donate an item!

Tournament Rules:
1. This is a catch and release tournament. Eligible species are Redfish, Black Drum, and Trout.
2. Awards
a) Trophies will be awarded in the Adult division for the first, second and third largest Redfish and Trout – by length.
b) A trophy will be awarded in the Youth Division for the first and second largest combined length of Redfish and Trout.
c) Trilogy Champion: A trophy will be awarded to the angler with the largest combined length of Redfish, Black Drum and Trout. Must have all three species to qualify.
d) A trophy will be awarded to the Top Guide (licensed professional guide NOT registered as a paid angler) whose client is the Trilogy Champion.
3. Participants only qualify for prizes in division(s) they have entered. Youth anglers may enter the Adult Division by paying adult fees.
4. The maximum line test is 20 lb. or less unless fly fishing. Any type of leader is permitted.
5. Anglers must leave from and fish anywhere within Monroe County where fishing is legally permitted.
6. All catches by an angler must be photographed with one camera provided to that angler by the tournament committee. Photo must clearly show fish and a measuring device. Each angler must record length of fish and time of catch on provided score sheet.
7. In the event of a tie, winner will be determined by earliest recorded catch time.
8. Lines in will be immediately following end of Captain’s meeting on Friday, December 14, 2012. Fishing permitted day and night.
9. Cameras and score sheets must be turned in to scorer’s table between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012.
10. Decisions by the Tournament Committee will be final.
11. It is expressly understood that by entering this tournament all participants have entered at their own risk. The Tournament Directors, Key Largo Merchants Association, all sponsors and Cactus Jack’s (Florida Keys Restaurant Management, Inc.) shall be exempt from any liability.

Be sure to write “Mortgage Reduction” on checks so that your generous donation is credited to the mortgage.  The elimination of this debt will support MMC’s ability to respond to animals in need and dedicate donations to medical supplies and the many other costs involved in our work.

Please do what you can now!  If you know anyone, including any foundations, that share your love of dolphins and whales, please encourage donations to support the Marine Mammal Conservancy.

Thank you for all that you do.

Marine Mammal Conservancy

After surviving numerous medical challenges, 300 was deemed non-releasable by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) based on established guidelines for release and input from independent marine mammal experts.  NMFS has placed her in the care of SeaWorld, where she will be reunited with 301, a calf that was rescued during the same stranding event.

The MMC staff would like to thank all of the volunteers, SeaWorld and our stranding network partners who have committed so much time and effort to make this rescue and rehabilitation possible.

As many of you know, we recently transferred our calf to Sea World.  The latest updates from the Sea World staff indicate that she is doing great in her new pool, spending lots of time swimming underwater and interacting with her staff.  The calf was also being introduced to a new pool mate. Check the Sea World Facebook page and website for more details on the pilot whale calf.

The last young pilot whale female in our care, Caroline (300) is making progress.  Her days are full of activities, including swimming, physical therapy, floating sessions as she regains her balance and buoyancy and electro-stimulation therapy to rebuild the muscles on the weak side of her curve.  Caroline has a great attitude and is doing very well behaviorally.  We continue to need volunteers 24/7 in 4 hour shifts.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please call the MMC volunteer line at 305-451-4774.

The calf was part of a group of 24 Pilot Whales that stranded on May 5th in Cudjoe Key, Florida. After rescue 301 showed continued improvement throughout the rehabilitation process. The calf was deemed non-releasable by the National Marine Fisheries Service based on established guidelines for release and input from independent marine mammal experts. Rehabilitation efforts with the last remaining Pilot Whale from the May 5th rescue continue at MMC in Key Largo, Florida.

We’re happy to report that things keep moving forward with 300 and 301. 300 continues with her upswing of improvement and she’s swimming more and more every day. Her c-curvature is about 30% better from where it started and is slowly working itself out. She’s eating up to about 39 pounds of fish per day. She’s starting to be more playful and behaviorally is doing very well.

301 is acting like a typical youngster. She has her good days and her bad days, but all in all is doing well. She gets regular visits with 300 which they both seem to enjoy. Things are continuing to progress but we still need volunteer help. Please sign up for a shift if you haven’t done so already. (305) 451-4774 Thanks again for your continued support!

Update June 24th, 2011

Great News!  301 is doing well and is swimming on her own.  She continues to improve and goes through physical therapy every day.  We are so pleased to see the progress she’s making.

300 is still in critical condition and is currently on antibiotics for a small infection.  She’s keeping active though and we try to get her swimming on her own for a bit each day.

Positive thinking produces positive results!  If you haven’t already, please sign up for a shift and come see these magnificent animals and help out with their rehab.  Thanks to all that have already given us so much support – without you we couldn’t do the work that we do.  Hope to see you all soon!

Update June 18th, 2011

Regrettably, we had to euthanize pilot whale 302 today due to kidney failure.  After doing everything humanly and scientifically possible, we felt we needed to do it since she was beginning to suffer.  It’s never easy when it comes to this, but we feel it was the best for 302 and the only option we had.

Our volunteers are essential to what we do and we truly appreciate each and every one of you.  We still need all the help we can get, and can’t express enough how grateful we are for all that you do.

Update June 11th, 2011

Our three whales are still with us.  R300 is still in critical condition and still fighting a tough case of pneumonia.  R302 is in guarded condition and we continue to work on her severe C-curvature problems.  R301 is in stable condition and is swimming on her own several hours each day.  We continue to operate here 24/7 and our focus is on getting them back in shape again.  Dolphins Plus and Sea World have been gracious enough to lend us a hand with personnel and supplies and are on site each day helping us with our medical procedures and physical therapy on the whales.  Volunteers continue to be an integral part of the rehab process here and we encourage the public to participate and give back to a world that gives us so much.  If you can spare a few hours and come help out, we would very much appreciate it!  Thanks to all who have given their time so generously already.

Update May 26th, 2011

Unfortunately, we had to euthanize one of our pilot whales on Wednesday.  Despite our best efforts, R303 continued to deteriorate past the point of no return and we made the decision to end her suffering.
Our other three girls are still very sick with one in stable condition (the small calf R301) one considered in guarded condition R-300 and one still considered in critical condition, R302.
They are making progress medically, but we still have a long way to go and we expect them to be with us over the next few months.  We have them swimming several times a day to rebuild their strength as well as a chance to stretch out unused muscles.
They still need our support to stay afloat so volunteers are still required around the clock.  Thank you for your support and help, please stay in touch and volunteer as often as you like.