2013 Field Course in Cetacean Ecology Bimini, The Bahamas

Arrive: 28 May 2013, Depart 9 June 2013

In a nutshell: Dr. Deirdre Yeater of Sacred Heart University will lead this 200-level university course at DCP’s Bimini field site. Students will gain an introduction to dolphin biology and behavior as well learn real-life research techniques while observing wild Atlantic spotted and/or bottlenose dolphins.

Included: 12 nights’ accommodation in Bimini, 8 boat trips in search of wild dolphins, 1 boat excursion to observe wild sharks and stingrays, 3 meals/day (including drinking water and boat snacks), course instruction, 3-credits from Sacred Heart University (inquire with your home university about credit transfer) and more.

Application Deadline: 21 December 2012

Cost: Approximately $4368 plus airfare

For more details please click here!

The Gazette is here! 'Tis the season for the "last of 2012"  With Black Friday shopping behind you and Cyper Monday shopping bombarding you, why not take a break with the latest issue of The Dolphin Gazette. Which section will be your favorite? Updates on the Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphins? Information on the struggling Vaquita? Or, perhaps you've only just begun your Cyber Monday shopping and will want to purchase the featured Dolphin Badge? Whatever your mood, we hope you enjoy this issue and share it with friends! Click here to download the PDF.

Researchers at DCP are regularly confronted with the harsh realities of life in the ocean for dolphin species. When we observe the wild dolphins of Bimini, we know that each individual faces daily challenges from finding enough food to fighting illness and avoiding predators. These challenges do not always result in happy endings for our dolphin friends, and many individuals – both young and old – can succumbed to disease, starvation, or predator attacks. We rarely witness the death of an individual dolphin, or stumble across dead animals in the open ocean. Often times, when we stop observing an individual dolphin during our research expeditions, we are forced to conclude that an animal might have died. But we have learned from our research throughout the world that not seeing a given individual one season doesn’t mean that individual has necessarily died. Perhaps they are simply avoiding our research boat, or maybe they’ve moved to another part of the ocean and are otherwise happy and healthy. It’s always possible that they will make an appearance again in a few years. Many of the once “lost” dolphins around our research site at Mikura island have been spotted alive and well swimming around neighboring islands. But when an animal has not been seen for two or more years at Bimini, we begin to suspect that the animal just might have passed away. 

This year, we have to step back and ask ourselves these tough questions about White Blotch (#29), Finn (#09) and Nemo (#78). None of these individuals was seen in 2011 or 2012. It is entirely possible that they have either died, or left the Bimini area forever. For this reason, we are removing them from our Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin roster.   

Current adoptive parents will continue to have the option to renew their adoptions of these three individuals; however, we will not issue adoption kits for new supporters. Because we cannot update the adoption kits with new photos, video or sighting details, it would be unfair of us to continue to sell their kits. Although we suspect we have seen Vincent (#11) and JoAnne (#86) in recent years, we will also suspend new adoptions of them as well since, for the second year in a row, we do not have new photos or video to share with their adoptive parents. 

As DCP supporters and Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin parents, we encourage you to use this update as an opportunity to contemplate the realities of life in the wild for dolphins and other animals, and how difficult it is for researchers to really know what happens to our dolphin friends under the waves. Dolphins are but one fragile strand in the beautiful and complex web of nature, and like all living beings that call this web home, a dolphin’s life story has a beginning, middle, and end. But don’t lose hope just yet – we can’t say for certain just where we are when it comes to the story of White Blotch, Finn, Nemo, Vincent, or JoAnne! We will continue to look for all of our catalogued dolphins, and we’ll be the first to let you know if these “missing” individuals should suddenly re-appear!

My fingers had been crossed all week as I hoped for good weather on Saturday. This time of year, I don't get to join many dolphin trips, but I look forward to them whenever they do come up. Although I felt a bit rusty, I was excited as I headed to the dock Saturday afternoon. I was greeted by a small group of very excited and friendly Bimini Undersea guests and we all kept an eye out for dolphins - in between the rolling swells! It was far from a glass calm day, but the dolphins made it easy for us and appeared right next to the boat. At first we saw two Atlantic spotted calves, so we knew there must be moms nearby. Sure enough, the group size soon grew to four. We definitely saw Lil' Jess (#35) and her calf as well as Leslie's calf (soon to be ID#99). Since that little one was there, it's likely the fourth dolphin was Leslie (#80) herself. I didn't get a good enough look to be sure, but this dolphin was the right size and age to be Leslie. The mom and calf group was moving too fast (enjoying the surf!) for us to get in the water, but we all enjoyed watching them from the boat.

When this sighting was over, we resumed the search. There was a rain squall to our north and the sun was bouncing between clear skies and clouds, but our captain spotted a group of active bottlenose dolphins. We got a great look at this group of at least ten individuals. They were surfing and chasing each other - and possibly chasing fish too. At one point a school of very small fish started racing out of the water. We all looked to see what was chasing them - not a dolphin mammal, but it looked like a dolphin fish!

Although our dolphin watching was limited to the surface, we all had a great day.

Until next time, Kel

It was a great remainder of our program with Linzi from DE-Project BEACH. On Saturday we were up early for our cleanup of Radio Beach in Alice Town. Kel represented DCP Conservation Member Sarah (thanks Sarah!) and Linzi brought bags, gloves and Ocean Conservancy data cards. At first, it was a small team: we were joined by a great American family visiting Bimini. They worked together, keeping track of the litter they collected so that Linzi could submit the information to the Ocean Conservancy. Although we were so happy to have the support of Bimini's guests - it was great to have the type of visitors who wanted to give back to the island - we couldn't help but be a bit disappointed that no locals joined the efforts. But wait! A fantastic group of people joined us mid-morning and made up for lost time! We collected 23 bags of trash, plus several bags of recyclable bottles and cans and a pile of bulk items. The kids all received their "Beach Buddy MVP" button from Dolphin Encounters.

On Sunday, I was able to give a full tour of North Bimini to Linzi, including sharing information about Bimini's Marine Protected Area. On Monday it was school visit day and Linzi gave fantastic presentations about endangered species, marine debris and coral reefs to all three of the public school campuses. It was great seeing the young primary students enthusiasm, hearing the 4th, 5th and 6th graders Bimini boa stories, seeing the pride in the high school students' eyes and meeting teachers and principals who want to help make Bimini's education system better each year. We capped off the day with a second round of beach cleanup efforts, this time at the southern point of North Bimini and along the sea plane ramp. With some repeat Beach Buddies and some new faces, we collected another half dozen bags of trash, plus recyclables and bulk items, and everyone headed home with smiles on their faces, talking of getting their friends to join next time.

It was a fantastic weekend of dolphins and community efforts. I look forward to DCP's next visit to Dolphin Encounters - and the next Dolphin Encounters visit to Bimini!

Until next time,

Kel

On Friday Kel welcomed Dolphin Encounters/Project BEACH educator, Linzi, to Bimini. The day started at Sea Crest Hotel & Marina and with a half-island tour. After a "quick" lunch at Capt. Bob's we got ready to check in with Al, expecting the decision to cancel our afternoon dolphin trip. Why did we think this? Well, perhaps the thunder we heard throughout lunch had something to do with it! But, no! The squalls were clearing out in time to search for dolphins. Even better? We were joined by three fantastic ladies. Better still? The dolphins showed up early! So, under still cloudy skies, we spent hours watching Atlantic spotted dolphins. There were likely at least 18 dolphins at different points in the afternoon, including males, females, youngster and adults. We had a few brief but close and clear underwater encounters, and I was able to use DCP's new HD video camera. The conversation between water entries was great and by the end of the day we saw Split Jaw (#22), Tim (#69), un-named #40 (and calf!) and perhaps even un-named (#97). Can't wait to look over the video clips, although I do have to make a few adjustments to the housing control placements.

After a great dinner with Linzi, it was time for bed. Have to up early for our beach clean-up!!

Until then,

Kel

Although all boat trips were cancelled Friday – Monday (24-27 August), I did have a great talk on Monday evening with this week’s guests. They had not even seen the dolphins yet, but they were engaged and eager to learn and share dolphin stories. Still, it was great to be back on the water Tuesday afternoon. I think it is safe to say that the guests agree! Although there was still a rolling swell keeping us on our toes, thankfully the dolphins were out and about and their surfing path took them right to us! Despite the fact that they were not all that interested in us or the boat, they did come to the bow now and then. The real show came as they surfed the swells and leapt repeatedly. At one point, the dolphins (there were at least 25) all seemed to line up and as we scratched our heads wondering what they were up to, one jerked and they all shot in opposite directions. I wonder what they were up to….

It was challenging to identify individual dolphins with the rough seas, but I did see Split Jaw (#22), Addie (#84), Inka (#93) and un-named #s 24, 40 and 75. We were hopeful we’ll see even more in the final days of the week...

And we certainly did make up for lost time. On Wednesday we headed out again and saw more than a dozen dolphins, both spotteds and bottlenose. The water wasn't very clear, but we did see Juliette (#12) and, maybe, Milo (#96) and un-named #70. The day ended with an bonus bottlenose sighting! Thursday was out last chance of the week to see dolphins and once again we were successful. This time, the day began with a bottlenose-only sighting which was soon followed up by a spotted group, which were in turn joined by bottlenose! It was a bit of a boys' club with Buster (#04), Lumpy (#17), Split Jaw (#22) and un-named #24 and 75. As we returned to the harbor, we had another last minute bottlenose sighting - but this was even closer to the wire than yesterday!

It was a challenging start to the week, but boy did it end well. Thanks to this week's guests for their patience and to the dolphins for making up for lost time!

Until next time,

Kel

Just a quick update: everything is fine here on Bimini! We did all our storm preparations, just in case the storm strengthened and/or shifted its path. Although last Saturday and Sunday were quite wet and windy, everything on the island was okay. Hopefully US Labor Day weekend will be clear and calm, bringing lots of tourists to Bimini!

More once the seas calm down,
Kel

Sunday, 19th of August was brought a new batch of Hunter College students to Bimini. I spent the morning in search of the dolphins (with the visiting photographer), while students had orientation back onshore. We searched and searched for dolphins, but they were not to be found. In the afternoon, we had the same luck, despite the boat full of eager students. We kept our optimism though and on Monday, we were not disappointed. First, I spent the morning with a small film crew, working on the live-action portion of an upcoming program, featuring dolphins, to air on PBS. During a swim break, we spotted the spotteds and had great observations throughout the morning. Early in the afternoon trip, we saw bottlenose dolphins and a little while later we saw a mixed species group, including the un-identified youngster pictured here. Tuesday morning I teamed up with the visiting film team once again and saw more dolphins! It was an absolute pleasure working with this team. Tuesday afternoon was spotteds-spotteds-spotteds and Wednesday meant more mixed species observations in the morning, another mixed species group in the afternoon as well as lots of spotteds. The dolphin group sizes were large, in the neighborhood of twenty individuals.

We were grateful to get our Thursday afternoon dolphin trip in, even if we did not get many underwater observations. With Tropical Storm Isaac on the horizon, we were just glad to have observed three bottlenose and then two adult spotteds from the boat safely. When all was said and done, this week we saw Buster (#04), Romeo (#10), Lumpy (#17), Split Jaw (#22), Swoosh (#36), Niecey (#48, and calf), Prince William (#64), Tim (#69), Speedy (#78), Leslie (#80, and her calf), Stefran (#82), Tilly (#87), Inka (#93), Milo (#96), un-named #s 24, 70, 95, 97 and possibly Cerra (#38).

The weekend will mean storm prep for me and the other residents of Bimini. We do not expect the storm to be very bad in Bimini, but we need to be prepared.

More after the storm,
Kel

It's here! It's here!

The latest issue of The Dolphin Gazette is ready for your reading! We hope you enjoy reading about our upcoming RIMS eco-tour, our busy Bimini season, reflections from our interns and more! Click here to download the PDF. And remember to share it with your friends and tell us what you think on Facebook!

Thanks for your support,

DCP