May 2009: Dolphin released in Key West

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cutter sent home!

Key West, FL – May 12, 2009 – This morning, in the 10 o’clock hour, excitement ran through a group of volunteers from the Marine Mammal Conservancy (MMC). They had set up a site in the Truman Annex where they had been keeping the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, ‘’Cutter’’, since this past weekend. After days of waiting to release Cutter back to the wild, the moment had finally come that they had all been waiting anxiously for. A pod had been located!

After a flawless transfer from Key Largo to Key West on Saturday, May 9th, Cutter, who has been in the care of MMC since February 14th, was ready to be released back into the wild. As a result of his rehabilitation with MMC, he went from being severely physically compromised to being in tip top condition. Experts have said that Cutter is between the ages of one and five. It’s because of this, and the fact that he is by himself, that he must be released into a pod of dolphins of his own kind in order to give him the best chance of survival. Young dolphins need the help of their mothers and other older members of their pod to learn basic survival tactics and skills.

After hearing there was a pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins seen near Key West in the recent weeks, MMC headed down last weekend and sent out tracking boats and planes to try and locate a pod. Denise Herzing, an expert on this species of cetacean, headed up one of the tracking vessels along with her crew from the Wild Dolphin Project. A private boat and a few private planes have also gone out searching. Ever since tracking efforts began on Sunday, May 10th, no Atlantic Spotted Dolphin pods had been found until today.

After the call came in that a pod had been located, preparations started to be made by the trained volunteers and Cutter was soon on his way to be released. The moment everyone had been waiting for had finally arrived! Cutter was released this afternoon and he will be tracked for a number of days to ensure that he has been accepted into the pod.

We would like to thank the City of Key West, the United States Coast Guard, The Florida Keys, C and T Tours, the Conch Harbor Marina, Waste Management, Key West Chemical, Nearshore Electric, Rexel Consolidated, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their continued assistance and support.

About the Marine Mammal Conservancy
The Marine Mammal Conservancy (MMC) is an Internal Revenue Service designated 501C(3) nonprofit all-volunteer organization. It is our mission at the Marine Mammal Conservancy to provide professional and effective response and care for stranded marine mammals. Through this effort, MMC adds to the overall understanding of marine mammals and our oceans on both the scientific and public fronts. Via data collection, during both necropsies and rehabilitation, and through public education, MMC helps ensure the success of an inspiring and threatened group of animals. Ever grateful to our volunteers, supporters, and the South Florida Community, they are the backbone of this organization and are what helps to keep the Marine Mammal Conservancy such a success. There is no government funding for this effort and we appreciate the support given by the public, foundations and corporations that help fund MMC to insure the health of our oceans.

Press Contact:
Anne Biddle
Anne@MarineMammalConservancy.org
(401) 487.4642