Page 36 - Gateways 2018 Spring
P. 36
Cetacean Welfare continued
Senior marine mammal care
specialist Nicole Booton shows
Noelani Dolphin a D-tag (above),
Tapeko Dolphin wearing a D-tag
(above right), senior marine
mammal care specialist Andy
Ferris putting a D-tag on Tapeko
Dolphin (right), and a D-tag on
one of Brookfield Zoo’s dolphins
(far right).
Additionally, in partnership with habitat, helps us create a detailed picture How exactly does a dolphin volunteer?
researchers from the University of of the dolphins’ daily lives. Staff made wearing the devices fun,
Michigan and scientists from Woods Hole turning it into somewhat of a game for
Oceanographic Institution, our animal care Staff members were very careful in the dolphins. The dolphins would receive
specialists have worked to get Brookfield how they introduced the dolphins to these treats or rewards for wearing a device, and
Zoo’s dolphins comfortable wearing D-tags. sensors. The sensors’ suction cups were over time, the amount of time they wore a
examined thoroughly by both biologists sensor would increase. Additionally, if they
These devices—which are about the and engineers to ensure they suction didn’t want to wear a device, they could
size and shape of a computer mouse and firmly enough to stay put, but not firmly simply take it off themselves.
painlessly stick on the back of dolphins enough to damage the dolphins’ skin. But
with four small suction cups—provide still, it was something the dolphins were Animal care specialists moved slowly
important information about the animals’ initially unfamiliar with—much like in order to ensure all dolphins were
underwater movement. We can learn how a pet dog or cat might initially be comfortable with the new device. Now,
when and how deep they dive and can unfamiliar with wearing a collar—and five of our eight dolphins voluntarily wear
reconstruct their underwater path (it’s animal care specialists made sure to the D-tags.
trickier than you might think—dolphins introduce the objects slowly and carefully
don’t just swim in straight lines, but so as to make it a positive experience
are continuously spinning, gliding, and for the dolphins. They also made sure
moving among various depths). This that the dolphins’ interaction with the
information, combined with data from sensors was completely voluntary.
overhead cameras above the dolphin
32 GATEWAYS | DEMYSTIFYING DOLPHINS
