WHALE RESCUE UPDATE; WADING WITH WHALES AND LOVING IT!

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Patty Smukall and I (left) work with other volunteers to assist whale 300 at the Marine Mammal Conservancy

It was another amazing day with the whales today! Our shift started at 7:30 am, suiting up, getting instructions and getting ready to support pilot whale 300. She is a teenage whale who is still suffering from pneumonia. While 2 of us helped keep her blowhole above the water, two more of us supported her around the dorsal fin area, keeping her fluke high and keeping her from listing. We at the same time we all kept her skin moist. Every half hour we took vitals; heart rate and respiration. All this was done under the direct supervision of a Marine Mammal Conservancy Supervisor.  All volunteers were trained and given an orientation before being allowed in the water.

Whale 300, a "teenager" receives nebulizer treatments for her pneumonia

While being supported by volunteers, 300 was given treatments with a special nebulizer. She cooperates and takes deep breaths because she knows she’ll get fish when she does. She also receives Physical Therapy for her tail, which has atrophied a bit since her stranding. Hydration is given by inserting a tube down her throat, but she is very happy to eat fish on her own. Whenever one of the supervisors or staff who she is familiar with came in the water, she was like a big puppy, “wagging “her fluke, lifting her head and trying to move toward them. It’s so heartwarming to see the loving relationship these wonderful people have with this incredible animal!

The Vet (shirtless) checks on 300 after her treatments

I actually look like I know what I"m doing at the registration/infomation desk at MMC!

After our time in the water with the whale, we all shared in various other duties. I took over the registration/information desk. Others went out to sit with the “baby”, whale 301 who is a feisty 2 year old who is now swimming on her own. For safety, someone sits with her 24 hours a day, collects data on her vitals, feeds and plays with her. Another person acts as “scribe” recording all the data. Others work in the kitchen, help sanitize wetsuits, and perform any other chores that need doing. There’s a fantastic feeling of camaraderie at the Conservancy and the staff are more than willing to answer questions, teach, praise and thank all the volunteers.

I really need to qualify what I mean by volunteers! I'm really referring to people like me who come without specific training or experience. However, absolutely everyone at the Marine Mammal Conservancy is actually a volunteer! There are people who have training and have worked there for some time. Sea World rotates people at the Conservancy to assist, and many other marine groups send trained personnel. Some staff began as volunteers, just like me, but then took some of the classes offered by the MMC, and learned by doing over time. So while they are volunteers, they are more like "professional volunteers".

Everything I’ve learned about the Marine Mammal Conservancy has made me more proud to be a part of their efforts. They do uncommonly well in in research, rescue, rehabilitation and release of wild, marine mammals. To learn more visit    http://www.marinemammalconservancy.org/  or Info@MarineMammalConservancy.org  .