Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network



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Dedicated to the conservation of marine mammals through rescue and rehabilitation, research and education.


11 Dolphins Recovered March 10, 2009



















The TMMSN responded to 11 dead dolphins which washed in with a strong south wind through the day on Tuesday in Galveston County.  This is in addition to 23 additional dolphins recovered in January and February for the Galveston Bay area.  All data is being fast-tracked to NMFS/NOAA analysts who are continuing to keep a close on eye on Texas strandings for possible Unusual Mortality Event activity as we work in full swing through the thick of the 2009 stranding season.

7 Dolphins Recovered February 12, 2009

TMMSN Field Coordinator Errol Ronje and TMMSN volunteer and Texas A&M Researcher Rachel Neuenhoff left at 0800 to respond to 2 Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)reported stranded dead the previous day.  In what has become a common occurrence over the past two years, 2 dolphins quickly turned into 7 as the day progressed and calls came in to the TMMSN 24-Hr pager.

"While most of the carcasses washing in are in late stages of decomposition, we are able to take samples for toxicology, genetics and age studies in those late stage animals," said Errol Ronje, Field Coordinator.

Ronje continues, "On the animals that are 'fresher,' that is, in earlier stages of decomposition, we are able to do a full necropsy, and take more in-depth samples and examine items of interest."

Above: A late "Code 3" Tursiops truncatus proved fresh enough for a full beach necropsy.  Samples for genetics, toxicology, and age studies were taken including skin, teeth, liver, lung, stomach (and stomach contents), blubber, intestine, feces, urine, gonads, and lymph glands.

The 2007/2008 Unusual Mortality Events remain unsolved.  All Unusual Mortality Event samples are held in a strict chain of custody and are transferred to NOAA/NMFS government laboratories for viral, bacterial, and toxicological testing.

While the results of the government may not be tested as quickly as the TMMSN would like, we must work within the parameters of our federal permit.

During the last two years of 2007 and 2008, the TMMSN experienced an Unusual Mortality Event and recovered around 200 dolphins in February and March of each year-- a significant increase in bottlenose dolphin mortality.

"While we are not assuming 2009 will bring us another Unusual Mortality Event, the TMMSN is organized to respond and recover all strandings, dead or alive, and will take appropriate action so that as much evidence as possible is available to NOAA/NMFS laboratories in an effort to determine the cause of the increased mortality" says Heidi Whitehead, State Operations Coordinator.