How suitable are animals for the protocols when they have 

 been reheibilitated for a F>6riod of time? The microbiological and 

 viral information is lost but other information is still gained. 



Is there a protocol for the first 24 hours that a live 

 animal is being treated? It would be important to get general 

 clinical information. Pre-treatment protocol would include 

 routine blood samples. An experienced veterineurian would likely 

 do this; however, we need to specify our needs. 



Is it possible to determine whether a marine mammal has 

 drown or suffocated? There eure both wet and dry dro%ming. 

 Strontium in blood, liver, and kidney, and diatom levels in the 

 lungs can be used to determine the type of death. These 

 varieibles are used in human autopsies. 



Appropriate seunples to be collected from a stranded 

 animal are outlined on page 24 of the necropsy protocol, in 

 general it is as follows: (1) "clean" tissue collection protocol 

 for code 1 and 2 animals; (2) stomachs and life history samples 

 collected for all animals; and (3) for code 3-5 animals, 

 protocols are being developed. 



If a rare animal has stranded. Network Participants 

 should call their Area Representatives immediately. There will 

 be specific protocols. The Area Representative should be 

 prepared for this with appropriate information and specific 

 questions to ask the network people. In this regard, the only 

 normal stranding is single coastal bottlenose dolphins. 



IV. DISSEKXHATIOir OF RESULTS 



A quaurterly report will be produced jointly by SEUS/SEFC. 

 It will include information of general interest to Stranding 

 Network Participants, a quarterly summary of stranding activity 

 in SEUS, information on analyses underway or planned, and any 

 noteworthy events or tips. It will not duplicate the Smithsonian 

 quarterly report; it is intended to be more of an informal 

 newsletter. Although this is a minor activity in terms of 

 funding, it is critical for maintaining communication and 

 cooperation between the SEFC and SEUS Nettrark Participants. The 

 primary purpose of this activity is to let Nettrark Participants 

 know that their effozrts made to provide the NMFS with information 

 and specimens are worthwhile. The NMFS Miami laboratory, in 

 coordination with the SEUS Network Director, will both produce 

 the newsletter and assist in the maintenance of regional 

 organization. 



It was suggested that a biennial Stranding Network meeting 

 should be held, sponsored by the SEFC and the SEUS Net«fork 

 Coordinator. The purpose of the meeting would be to monitor the 



218 



