dolphins

[soozin]

sorry, I know this isnt music related and may be removed from the section but its important.. read below!

http://www.fla-keys.com/news/news.cfm?sid=1431

KEYS MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS NEED VOLUNTEERS TO AID STRANDED DOLPHINS
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys - Officials from one of three rehabilitation centers aiding a contingent of rough-tooth dolphins that stranded off the Florida Keys put forth a public plea for additional volunteers.
"The biggest thing we're in need of right now is volunteers," said Lloyd Brown, vice president of the Marine Mammal Conservancy in Key Largo. "Some of the animals are in such bad condition they need to be physically held up so they can breathe."
Late Sunday night, the Conservancy was caring for 22 dolphins of about 68 that stranded off Marathon last Wednesday.
"We need 30 people per shift and that's six, four-hour shifts per day," Brown said. "The need will probably taper off as we go farther into the rescue operation. "
Brown said the center also requires food and water for people that come to help and money for medication and food for the dolphins.
"This will be one of the largest efforts ever made on rehabilitation of stranded mammals in history," said Robert Lingenfelser, president of the Conservancy. "This is a major effort on a little non-profit that's all-volunteer. "
Some volunteers came on their own after reading and seeing news reports.
German vacationer Pardia Gharib decided to cancel his plans to attend "Bike Week," a motorcycling event in Daytona Beach to travel to Key Largo.
"I thought this was more important," Gharib said.
Miami resident Susan Hudson was among those that assisted Sunday.
"It's a really rewarding experience," said Hudson. "I had one of them squeak at me when I gave him a hug. I think they know that we're trying to help. "
Meanwhile Sunday, two of the female dolphins unexpectedly delivered stillborn calfs while in rehabilitation.
After the first birth, at a facility on Summerland Key being manned by the Florida Keys Marine Mammal Rescue Team, the female dolphin was in guarded conditions and a necropsy was performed on the baby, said director Becky Arnold.
"We were looking for symptoms and signs that caused the stranding, but we didn't think she was in labor," Arnold said.
Late Sunday night, another rescued dolphin lost a calf at the Marine Mammal Conservancy.
"The calf was premature and the mother is in extremely guarded condition, said Sarah Gomez, a biologist with NOAA Fisheries, who was at the Conservancy.
To help aid surviving dolphins at the Marine Mammal Conservancy, go the www.marinemammalconservancy.org <http://www.marinemammalconservancy.org> or call 305-451-4774.