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Saving Springer How NOAA helped an orca go home

Saving Springer How NOAA helped an orca go home. Mark Sears. NOAA. Global Research and Rescue. Lesson 4. What should we do?. What should we do? What will you learn?. How NOAA decided what to do about Springer How several groups worked together on a solution Springer’s health assessment

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Saving Springer How NOAA helped an orca go home

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  1. Saving SpringerHow NOAA helped an orca go home Mark Sears NOAA Global Research and Rescue Lesson 4. What should we do?

  2. What should we do?What will you learn? • How NOAA decided what to do about Springer • How several groups worked together on a solution • Springer’s health assessment • Stranding networks Mark Sears

  3. What should we do?Next Steps for Springer • Now that we know who Springer is… • What should we do? • What are the options… Mark Sears

  4. What should we do?Options • Leave Springer alone • No action • Rehabilitate Springer • At an aquarium • In a Puget Sound facility • Return Springer to her family Mark Sears

  5. What should we do?NOAA asks community • Town meeting • Options and risks discussed • Risk to pod • Risk to Springer • Many different opinions If you were at the town meeting, what would you say? Mark Sears

  6. What should we do?NOAA asks community A young boy was the first person to say that Springer might be lost, and should be returned to her family. Mark Sears

  7. What should we do?Decision: Rescue! • While Springer’s health is checked, she will stay in a pen at Manchester, WA • If she is healthy, she will be returned to her pod at the north end of Vancouver Island Mark Sears

  8. What should we do?Project Team is formed • NOAA • DFO (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) • now called Fisheries and Oceans Canada • Vancouver Aquarium • Strong community support

  9. What should we do?Orphan Orca Fund formed • Seven non-profit groups created one organization to help NOAA • Raised money • Got supplies

  10. What should we do?Kids helped too! • Students made posters and helped collect donations • Gave money at places like the Seattle Aquarium • Money helped buy supplies for the project Thank you! Mark Sears

  11. What should we do?The day of the rescue • Team loaded her onto a sling • Moved to boat and then to holding pen • Kept her calm • Monitored her health NOAA

  12. What should we do?Is She Healthy? • Collect information from Springer • Size • Blood samples • Breath • Fecal samples • Compare to normal

  13. What should we do?Health test - Size • Length • Adult male = 30 ft • Adult female = 23 ft • Newborn calf = 7 ft • Springer = ?

  14. What should we do?Health test - Blood • Method: Get blood sample from tail fluke • View blood sample under microscope • Look at blood cell shape, size, number • Results: viruses or other diseases, or healthy blood • Morbillivirus • Canine brucellis • Springer’s results = ?

  15. What should we do?Health test - Breath Odor • Method: Sniff breath exhaled from blowhole • Results: • Fishy smell = normal • “Acetone” smell = ketosis • Ketosis is a sign of sickness and/or starvation. • Springer’s results = ?

  16. What should we do?Health test – Fecal samples • Method: Collect fecal samples with net • Results: Compare to normal • Texture (Lumpy? Smooth?) • Color (Brown? Green?) • Worms or other organisms • Springer’s results = ?

  17. What should we do?Next steps for Springer • Keeping her healthy • Keeping her wild • The journey home…

  18. What should we do?NOAA’s role • Scientists • Monitored Springer’s health • Identified issues and possible outcomes • Participated in rescue • Managers • Considered options • Formed team • Involved community • Planned and carried out rescue • Collaborated with DFO (Canada) during planning

  19. What should we do?Community Role • Shared opinions • Meetings • Newspaper • Formed Orphan Orca Fund • Raised money • Got supplies • Helped monitor Springer • Kept boats away

  20. What should we do?Activities • You’re the Vet • Stranding Networks

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