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MARINE M Introduction Fig. 1: M found at Don With an estimated 28 species of a marine mammal stranding netw stranded, two live and one dea Kogia breviceps, while a Melon-h Donald Quarrie High School on Melon-headed Whale, the Pygm known, not only about marine ma MAMMALS STRANDINGS IN JAMAICA by Christine O’Sullivan Jamaica Environment Trust Melon-Headed Whale, Peponocephala electra, nald Quarrie High School found on June 2, 2005 marine mammals found in Jamaican waters it i work be established. In the past three years th ad. Both live strandings occurred with Pygmy headed Whale, Peponocephala electra, was fo n June 2, 2005 (Fig. 1). While nothing could my Sperm Whale live-strandings highlighted ammals in general, but also about stranding pro is imperative that hree whales have y Sperm Whales, ound dead behind be done for the just how little is ocedures.
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Page 1: MARINE MAMMALS ST Introduction MARINE MAMMALS ...

MARINE MAMMALS STRANDINGS IN JAMAICA

Introduction

Fig. 1: Melon

found at Donal

With an estimated 28 species of marine mammals found in Jamaican waters it is imperative that

a marine mammal stranding network be established.

stranded, two live and one dead.

Kogia breviceps, while a Melon-headed Whale,

Donald Quarrie High School on Jun

Melon-headed Whale, the Pygmy Sperm Whale live

known, not only about marine mammals in general, but also about stranding procedures.

MARINE MAMMALS STRANDINGS IN JAMAICA

by

Christine O’Sullivan

Jamaica Environment Trust

Fig. 1: Melon-Headed Whale, Peponocephala electra,

Donald Quarrie High School found on June 2, 2005

With an estimated 28 species of marine mammals found in Jamaican waters it is imperative that

a marine mammal stranding network be established. In the past three years three whales have

stranded, two live and one dead. Both live strandings occurred with Pygmy Sperm Whales,

headed Whale, Peponocephala electra, was found dead behind

Donald Quarrie High School on June 2, 2005 (Fig. 1). While nothing could be done for the

headed Whale, the Pygmy Sperm Whale live-strandings highlighted just how little is

known, not only about marine mammals in general, but also about stranding procedures.

With an estimated 28 species of marine mammals found in Jamaican waters it is imperative that

In the past three years three whales have

Both live strandings occurred with Pygmy Sperm Whales,

, was found dead behind

e 2, 2005 (Fig. 1). While nothing could be done for the

strandings highlighted just how little is

known, not only about marine mammals in general, but also about stranding procedures.

Page 2: MARINE MAMMALS ST Introduction MARINE MAMMALS ...

Pygmy Sperm Whales are similar in appearance to Dwarf Sperm Whales,

them difficult to distinguish. Distinguishing factors include the number of teeth, length, and

dorsal fin length and position.

cephalopods, crustaceans and fish.

Pygmy’s are thought to reside seaward of the continental shelf while Dwarf Sperm Whales may

be more coastal. One feature they share is the use of a dark reddish

sac within the lower intestine that is expelled in the water when they are startled.

that it is used either to deter predators or conceal the whale’s escape (Reeves,

The only similarity that they appear to s

the spermaceti organ. It is only found in the head of these three whales and contains

spermaceti, a liquid wax whose purpose is unknown (Reeves,

The strandings of the Pygmy Sperm Whales

While the circumstances surrounding both strandings differed they were both marred by lack of

expertise and indecision. These strandings highlighted the need for an established marine

mammal stranding network with the ability to quickly and competently respond to stranding

events.

Case studies

Fig. 2: Pygmy Sperm Whale,

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) responded to t

in Portland in July 2004. Upon arrival it was noted that the animal had been recovered by residents and

placed in a container with salt water (Fig. 2).

similar in appearance to Dwarf Sperm Whales, Kogia simus

Distinguishing factors include the number of teeth, length, and

dorsal fin length and position. Stomach contents indicate that they feed primarily on

pods, crustaceans and fish. They can be found in tropical and temperate latitudes and

Pygmy’s are thought to reside seaward of the continental shelf while Dwarf Sperm Whales may

One feature they share is the use of a dark reddish-brown l

sac within the lower intestine that is expelled in the water when they are startled.

that it is used either to deter predators or conceal the whale’s escape (Reeves,

The only similarity that they appear to share with Sperm Whales, Physeter macrocephalus

It is only found in the head of these three whales and contains

spermaceti, a liquid wax whose purpose is unknown (Reeves, et al. 2002).

The strandings of the Pygmy Sperm Whales occurred in July 2004 and on March 31, 2006.

While the circumstances surrounding both strandings differed they were both marred by lack of

These strandings highlighted the need for an established marine

with the ability to quickly and competently respond to stranding

Fig. 2: Pygmy Sperm Whale, Kogia breviceps, neonate that stranded in July 200

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) responded to the first stranding, which occurred

Upon arrival it was noted that the animal had been recovered by residents and

placed in a container with salt water (Fig. 2). The water was routinely changed while they waited for

Kogia simus, making

Distinguishing factors include the number of teeth, length, and

Stomach contents indicate that they feed primarily on

They can be found in tropical and temperate latitudes and

Pygmy’s are thought to reside seaward of the continental shelf while Dwarf Sperm Whales may

brown liquid found in a

sac within the lower intestine that is expelled in the water when they are startled. It is presumed

that it is used either to deter predators or conceal the whale’s escape (Reeves, et al., 2002).

Physeter macrocephalus, is

It is only found in the head of these three whales and contains

occurred in July 2004 and on March 31, 2006.

While the circumstances surrounding both strandings differed they were both marred by lack of

These strandings highlighted the need for an established marine

with the ability to quickly and competently respond to stranding

that stranded in July 2004

he first stranding, which occurred

Upon arrival it was noted that the animal had been recovered by residents and

The water was routinely changed while they waited for

Page 3: MARINE MAMMALS ST Introduction MARINE MAMMALS ...

NEPA to arrive. The animal appeared to be a neonate (

of papillae on the tongue as well as vestigial hairs.

was extremely small and could be lifted and held by one perso

taken. According to residents it had swum to shore, attempted to go back out to sea and then

returned. At that point it was recovered by the residents, who noted that a pod (

dolphins) had been seen off shore, before eventually leaving the area.

eventually joined by a team from Dolphin Cove, who moved the animal to a shallower, calmer beach to

determine the next course of action.

unsuccessful. The decision was finally taken to take the animal to Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios and care for

it there. The animal died early the next morning.

Fig 3: Pygmy Sperm Whale before refloating attempt

On March 31, 2006 NEPA received a call that a whale had stranded in Morant Bay, St. Thomas and a

joint team from NEPA and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) responded to the call. Upon arrival it was

determined that the individual was a male Pygmy Sperm Whale (Fig. 3). It did not appear to be

malnourished or dehydrated but had several cuts and scratches along its bo

stomach (Fig. 4). All the cuts were superficial and would not have caused the stranding event.

The animal appeared to be a neonate (newborn), which was indicated by the presence

of papillae on the tongue as well as vestigial hairs. The animal had several cuts and scrapes on its body,

was extremely small and could be lifted and held by one person. However, no measurements were

According to residents it had swum to shore, attempted to go back out to sea and then

At that point it was recovered by the residents, who noted that a pod (group of whales or

shore, before eventually leaving the area. NEPA staff members were

eventually joined by a team from Dolphin Cove, who moved the animal to a shallower, calmer beach to

determine the next course of action. While there, an attempt was made to refloat the a

unsuccessful. The decision was finally taken to take the animal to Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios and care for

The animal died early the next morning.

Fig 3: Pygmy Sperm Whale before refloating attempt

On March 31, 2006 NEPA received a call that a whale had stranded in Morant Bay, St. Thomas and a

NEPA and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) responded to the call. Upon arrival it was

determined that the individual was a male Pygmy Sperm Whale (Fig. 3). It did not appear to be

malnourished or dehydrated but had several cuts and scratches along its body, particularly on its

All the cuts were superficial and would not have caused the stranding event.

), which was indicated by the presence

The animal had several cuts and scrapes on its body,

However, no measurements were

According to residents it had swum to shore, attempted to go back out to sea and then

group of whales or

NEPA staff members were

eventually joined by a team from Dolphin Cove, who moved the animal to a shallower, calmer beach to

While there, an attempt was made to refloat the animal but it was

unsuccessful. The decision was finally taken to take the animal to Dolphin Cove in Ocho Rios and care for

On March 31, 2006 NEPA received a call that a whale had stranded in Morant Bay, St. Thomas and a

NEPA and the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) responded to the call. Upon arrival it was

determined that the individual was a male Pygmy Sperm Whale (Fig. 3). It did not appear to be

dy, particularly on its

All the cuts were superficial and would not have caused the stranding event. They

Page 4: MARINE MAMMALS ST Introduction MARINE MAMMALS ...

appeared, instead, to have occurred when the animal swam through a nearby coral reef.

was placed on the scratches and the animal was carried further offshore and held in the water.

attempts to refloat the animal were made but after each attempt the animal returned to shore and it

was decided that the animal needed to be euthanized.

the animal died. A partial necropsy (autopsy

cause of death could not be determined.

Measurements were taken by the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica and the animal

was 1.87 metres in length indicating that it was a sub

Fig. 4: Scratches on the stomach of the Pygmy Sperm Whale

Problems associated with each stran

appeared, instead, to have occurred when the animal swam through a nearby coral reef.

nd the animal was carried further offshore and held in the water.

attempts to refloat the animal were made but after each attempt the animal returned to shore and it

was decided that the animal needed to be euthanized. However, before the veterinarian could arrive,

A partial necropsy (autopsy performed on animals) was performed but a definitive

cause of death could not be determined.

Measurements were taken by the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica and the animal

was 1.87 metres in length indicating that it was a sub-adult.

Fig. 4: Scratches on the stomach of the Pygmy Sperm Whale

Problems associated with each stranding

appeared, instead, to have occurred when the animal swam through a nearby coral reef. An antiseptic

nd the animal was carried further offshore and held in the water. Several

attempts to refloat the animal were made but after each attempt the animal returned to shore and it

arian could arrive,

performed on animals) was performed but a definitive

Measurements were taken by the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica and the animal

Page 5: MARINE MAMMALS ST Introduction MARINE MAMMALS ...

In both instances, while the death of each animal was inevitable, the care provided for each

animal could have been different shortening the amount of time that they suffered.

In the first case a chain of command should have been established based on marine mammal

stranding experience. Decisions therefore would have been made based on training in stranding

protocol and experience in marine mammal strandings, rather than emotion. Had this occurred

the Pygmy Sperm Whale neonate would have been euthanized, and never transported to

Dolphin Cove, since neonates are unable to survive without their mothers. Had this decision

been taken, its suffering would not have been prolonged. In both cases, however, the use of

euthanasia would have been determined by the identification of a veterinarian.

While a veterinarian was identified in the second case this only occurred after several other vets

were unable to respond. Had a stranding network been established willing veterinarians would

have already been identified and the response time would have been much shorter. A stranding

network would have also trained individuals around the island providing them with the

necessary training to respond to each stranding before the NEPA and JET staff arrived, and

then assist them upon arrival.

Much of the equipment necessary was not immediately available and some items had to be

purchased before arriving at the scene. While some materials could be purchased easily, other

equipment cannot be, though they are instrumental in caring for the animals. During the second

stranding the rescue team had to improvise in order to effectively care for the animal.

A proposal for a marine mammal stranding network is currently being developed by the Jamaica

Environment Trust in order to ensure that interested persons around the island can be trained in

stranding procedures and stranding equipment will be provided in the event of a stranding. This

will ensure that all stranded animals will receive the best possible care.

Stranding events

In the event of a stranding immediate action can be taken in order to care for the animal(s).

This includes:

• Report the incident to the National Environment and Planning Agency at 754-7540. • Support the animal in an upright position and dig trenches under the pectoral fins.

Page 6: MARINE MAMMALS ST Introduction MARINE MAMMALS ...

• Cover the animal with wet sheets or towels (even seaweed) and keep it moist by spraying or dousing with water.

• Do NOT cover, or let any water pass down the blowhole (sited on top of the animal’s head). This will cause the animal great distress and could even kill it.

• Every movement around a stranded animal should be quiet, calm and gentle. Excessive noise and disturbance will only stress it further.

• Do not attempt to drag the animal. • Do not pull on fins or tail. • Erect a shade to prevent it from overheating.

Source: Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit: www.crru.org.uk

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR):

http://www.bdmlr.org.uk/pages/main.html

Literature Cited:

Reeves, R.R., B.S. Stewart, P.J. Clapham, and J.A. Powell. 2002. National Audubon Society

Guide to Marine Mammals of the World. Alfred A. Knopf. New York.

For further information contact:

Christine O’Sullivan

Marine Mammals Specialist

Jamaica Environment Trust

11 Waterloo Road

Kingston 10

(876) 960-3693

[email protected]

www.jamentrust.org


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