32 



is high in protein and fatty acids. This study is being used to provide clues as to 

 how humans can fi^t heart disease, the number one killer of adults. 



• Another facility initiated collaborative research which led to the identification 

 of seal influenza in the North Atlantic. 



The health maintenance research done at marine mammal facilities is also essen- 

 tial for treating sick and stranded animals. Without knowledge of marine mammal 

 health and physiology, and without the techniques necessary to help these animals, 

 successful rehabilitation would be impossible. 



C. Helping Stranded Animals 



Many Alliance and AAZPA members voluntarily participate in federally-sponsored 

 stranding response networks organized by the National Marine Fisheries Service. 

 Because of their extensive expertise with marine mammals. Alliance and AAZPA 

 members are called upon by the public, local animal welfare organizations, and 

 state and federal regulators to respond to animals in distress through strandings 

 and injury. 



Thousands of marine mammals are reported annually as stranded on the coasts 

 of the United States. Efforts to save these animals and generate scientific knowl- 

 edge are almost exclusively due to the dedication of the institutions and individuals 

 of the Stranding Network who receive no payment for their efforts. One Stranding 

 Network member, Sea World, spent $3.4 million over the last five years rescuing 

 2,728 animals, including birds and other animals as well as cetaceans. Of those ani- 

 mals, 1,307 were rehabilitated and 1,080 were released. 



The New England Aquarium currently responds to approximately 500 strandings 

 each year, including mass strandings of 30-90 pilot whales. The aquarium provides 

 rescue and rehabilitation services, and has returned pilot whales to their habitat. 

 It has also assisted more than 50 seals of 5 different ^jecies, returning many to the 

 wild. Direct costs of these eflbrts are estimated to be $100,000 per year, in addition 

 to thousands of hours of trained volunteer help. 



There are many other examples of rescue eflbrts, including a west coast sea otter 

 rescue and care program designed to rehabilitate and return abandoned pups and 

 sick and injured adults to their natural environment. 



The marine mammal community is not reimbursed for the expenses associated 

 with the medical treatment of stranded animals — and stranding operations are cost- 

 ly. In the last five years. Alliance and AAZPA members alone have spent over $5 

 million rescuing, treating, feeding and releasing marine mammals. As a result of ef- 

 forts by the public display community and others, 1,500 marine mammals were re- 

 turned to their natural environments in the last five years. Sadly, stranded animals 

 are often severely injured and would not be able to survive in the wild. These ani- 

 mals, most of which are not suitable for display, are maintained at Alliance and 

 AAZPA facilities at their own cost. 



In addition to responding to calls to assist stranded marine mammals, it is not 

 uncommon for a single Alliance or AAZPA facility to receive over 1,500 calls a year 

 regarding marine mammals, birds and other wildlife in distress. Nor is it uncommon 

 for the animal care staff of these facilities to examine large numbers of animals that 

 succumbed in a mass die-off. Staffs are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 



AAZPA and Alliance members have also long understood that the study of strand- 

 ed animals is important to protect marine mammals in the wild. This work provides 

 essential data about the natural history of a species and population dynamics, and 

 is an indicator of factors affecting these animals such as disease, pollution and para- 

 sites. Thus, when animals are released, they are marked for re-identification and 

 many are radio/satellite tracked by federal agencies to gather still more data to help 

 other animals. 



Another example of stranding related research now being done with a wild popu- 

 lation is a project evaluating the health of the Matagorda Bay Texas dolphin popu- 

 lation, which suffered an unusual mortality event in the spring of 1991. Public dis- 

 play community veterinarians participating in the study, wnich is funded by the Na- 

 tional Marine Fisheries Service, have reported to NMFS that this project presents 

 a strong foundation upon which to understand subsequent events. 



AAZPA and Alliance members make substantial contributions to the rescue, reha- 

 bilitation and release of stranded marine mammals. In fact, the accumulated knowl- 

 edge, collective experience and resources of AAZPA and Alliance facilities are pri- 

 mary factors in these rescue efforts. 



II. PUBUC DISPLAY FACILITIES CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR COMMUNITIES 



AAZPA and Alliance members contribute substantially to the communities in 

 which they are located throu^ the thousands of people they employ, the millions 



