Education

Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network



FOR STRANDING EMERGENCIES CALL 1-800-9-MAMMAL
Dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals through rescue and rehabilitation, research and education.

Presentations and Lectures

Our presentations will inform you about marine mammal biology, conservation and the important role of the TMMSN.  Designed to educate all ages, our lectures can be given at your school, or you can come to us.  We can adjust our lectures to fit your needs. 

Marine Mammals and Mock Stranding Grades K-6

This lecture reviews basic marine mammal biology and the important role the TMMSN plays in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing live stranded animals. Also, depending on the audience, students play along with a mock live stranding procedure. All students are welcome to get involved with our “hands-on” bone display including skulls, baleen, teeth, vertebrae, and much more.

In this hour-long presentation, students will learn about:
-Characteristics of mammals
-What makes a marine mammal "marine"
-Marine mammals that live in the Gulf of Mexico
-How to help conserve marine mammals
-How to rescue a stranded dolphin or whale on the beach

They'll also get to:
-Touch real marine mammal bones and artifacts
-Participate in a mock stranding demonstration
-Hear about all of the dolphins and whales we have saved and much more!

Your class can also help with a fund-raiser, call for details on our “Dollars for Dolphins” campaign.

The TMMSN (Grades 7 - Adult)

Discover the TMMSN and how we respond to all marine mammal strandings along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Learn about our mission, understand how education plays an important role in increasing stranding awareness and how we respond to and care for live stranded animals. Learn valuable techniques used to rescue a live stranded animal and what you may encounter if a marine mammal strands near you! 

If you are interested in scheduling a presentation or would like to find out more about our programs, please fill out the form below and return it or e-mail the information.  If you have any further questions, please contact our Education Coordinator at (409) 740-4455 or by email at tmmsn@tamug.edu 

Marine Mammal Boan Loan Program

Because marine mammals are a protected species, it is illegal for any individual or organization without a letter of authorization to own any part of one(bones, etc.).

However, under our NMFS Letter of Authorization, materials derived from stranded marine mammals (bones) may be loaned to institutions for educational purposes. We have skulls, jaws, baleen, vertebrae, ribs, and more.

We do have a limited supply of bones on loan, so contact us for more details. Materials collected from strandings are also distributed for research purposes, and the TMMSN has assisted numerous researchers examining aspects of marine mammal anatomy, epidemiology, toxicology, reproduction, feeding habits, physiology, genetics, age structure, and distribution.