Page 11 - Gateways_2019_SPRING

Seeing Red Above: The Society’s SDRP is closely monitoring Sarasota’s fish populations.
Below: The red tide off the Gulf Coast of Florida is decimating fish populations.
WELFARE The Chicago Zoological Society’s
After the last severe red tide, which occurred in 2005 and 2006, it took
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program two years for fish numbers to return to normal levels. This led to dolphins
(SDRP) is a world leader when it trying to take the bait and catch from local anglers, leading to 2 percent of
comes to studying bottlenose dolphins and how the resident dolphins dying from the ingestion of recreational fishing gear.
human activity, such as fishing or boating, can
impact these wild populations. Wells and his team are working to prevent the same thing from
While managing human-dolphin interactions is happening this time around.
crucial to the dolphin population’s health at all times,
it is especially important during times of ecological “We are beginning now to get the word out to anglers and boaters
catastrophe, such as the current red tide that is about the potential repeat of this dangerous interest in human fishing
occurring off the Gulf Coast of Florida. (A red tide is a activities, and we are providing them with suggestions on how to
harmful algal bloom—in addition to producing toxins minimize risks to the dolphins,” Wells said. “We hope that the local
that kill fish and wildlife, the algae also turns the water communities take this to heart.”
a distinctive red/brown color.)
Dr. Randy Wells, director of the SDRP, said his staff BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2019 11
is keeping a close eye on the dolphins, and they are
concerned about the animals’ future. Since July, four
resident dolphins have died: two tested positive for
red tide toxins, and the other two cases are pending
analytical results.
“One of our biggest concerns is the loss of the
dolphins’ prey,” Wells said. “Our long-term fish surveys
have found that more than 90% of the dolphins’
primary prey fish have died so far—will sufficient fish
remain after the red tide to support the 170 resident
dolphins of Sarasota Bay?”