Page 45 - Brookfield Zoo Chicago Annual_Report_2024

of two dolphins in May, and remote was the culmination of months
tagging of four free-swimming of preparation, including classroom
dolphins with their newly developed learning, virtual training with SDRP,
TADpole (pole-mounted Tag Attach- personal development courses,
ment Device) during April and and interactive training with the conserve
December. The TADpole, developed Zoo’s animal care specialists.
in collaboration with Woods Hole With a capacity of only six to ten
Oceanographic Institution, is a participants per expedition, these
much-needed tool that supports transformative experiences provide
the deployment of satellite-linked teens with a unique opportunity
tags on dolphins in deep, to connect their passions to
Photo by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
open waters. real-world conservation efforts, of Brookfield Zoo Chicago, taken under NMFS/MMPA
fostering the next generation Scientific Research Permit
Health Assessments of environmental leaders.
From May 13 to 24, 2024, SDRP
Overcoming Hurricanes Since its inception, SDRP’s ground- Peer Recognition
conducted their most successful
breaking work has informed
dolphin health assessment project In the summer and fall of 2024, In November 2024, the SDRP
management plans for the National
in years. The team was comprised the SDRP team and operations was recognized as one of just three
Oceanic and Atmospheric
of 163 people, with 76 to 93 people were impacted by three major finalists for the World Association
Administration (NOAA), guided
working each day from 10 to 12 hurricanes that devastated the of Zoos and Aquariums’ (WAZA)
responses to environmental
boats, collecting data and samples Southeastern region of the United 2024 Conservation Award. This
disasters, and contributed
in support of 43 projects. They States. While the team’s offices, highly competitive award is granted
to the protection of marine species
evaluated 35 dolphins and sampled labs, and boats were largely intact, to a WAZA member organization
worldwide. The storms in 2024
19 individuals (eight females many of the station housings that maintains an outstanding,
underscored the urgency of
and 11 males), including 11 high- and hydrophones that make up comprehensive conservation
protecting marine ecosystems
priority individuals. the SDRP’s Sarasota Bay Listening program that advances the insti-
to build resilience in the face
Network (SBLN) were lost or severely tution’s commitment and efforts
Hands-On Learning damaged. SBLN—a powerful tool of future challenges. towards conservation. The team
for studying the lives of marine was honored to be a finalist and
In July 2024, eight students from
the Zoo’s King Conservation Science animals—continuously records celebrated in front of a global
underwater sounds so the team collection of our peers.
Scholars program visited the SDRP
at their home base in Sarasota, can monitor dolphins and other
sound-producing animals as
Florida. The trip offered King Schol-
ars a rare opportunity to participate indicators of ecosystem health.
In the months that followed the
in hands-on field research, working
alongside leading experts to study hurricanes, the SDRP team worked
tirelessly to ensure SDRP operations
bottlenose dolphins, their behaviors,
and the challenges they face in the were restored as quickly as possible,
including bringing SBLN stations
wild. The week-long field experience
back online.
ANNUAL REPORT 2024 35