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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 = ?

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 = ?

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 = ?

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

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

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

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