Study

Twenty-five years of rehabilitation of odontocetes stranded in central and northern California, 1977 to 2002

  • Published source details Zagzebski K.A., Gulland F.M.D., Haulena M. & Lander M.E. (2006) Twenty-five years of rehabilitation of odontocetes stranded in central and northern California, 1977 to 2002. Aquatic Mammals, 32, 334-345.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Rehabilitate and release injured, sick or weak marine and freshwater mammals

Action Link
Marine and Freshwater Mammal Conservation
  1. Rehabilitate and release injured, sick or weak marine and freshwater mammals

    A replicated study in 1977–2002 at multiple pelagic sites in the North Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, USA (Zagzebski et al. 2006) found that seven of 70 (10%) stranded toothed whales (Odontoceti) were successfully rescued, rehabilitated and released back into the wild, and three were known to survive for at least three days to five months after release. Seven of 70 (10%) stranded toothed whales were successfully rescued and released back into the wild. Two common dolphins Delphinus delphis and one harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena were tracked after release for 3 days, 31 days and five months respectively. Survival of the other four released animals (two bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus, two common dolphins Delphinus spp.) was not reported. The other 63 stranded animals either died during rescue (21), transport (five) or rehabilitation (34) or were kept in captivity (three). Seventy toothed whales of 13 species were found stranded alive in 1977–2002 (see original paper for details). Thirty-seven animals were given medical treatment at rehabilitation facilities. Two common dolphins and one harbour porpoise were satellite-tagged and tracked after release in 1994, 1995 and 2001–2002 respectively. Two bottlenose dolphins and two common dolphins were released but not tracked (dates not reported).

    (Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)

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