IN CASE OF STRANDING, CALL 1-800-9-MAMMAL
Note: Turtle and Bird Strandings should be reported to Tony Amos at (361) 749-6793

The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the conservation and understanding of marine mammals through rescue, rehabilitation, release, research, and education of stranded marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and manatees) along Texas Coastline. Six network regions have been designated along the coast (divided by county), including Sabine Pass, Galveston, Port O'Connor, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi, and South Padre Island.

The Corpus Christi Region includes:Kleberg and Kennedy Counties,Corpus Christi Bay Area and Nueces Co. South of Bob Hall Pier

TMMSN-Corpus Christi Regional Contacts:

Lea Walker (Coordinator)
4610 Mars Hill
Corpus Christi, Texas 78413
Phone: (361) 991-6480
Cell: (361) 947-4313
Fax: (361) 991-0907
E-mail: gwalker4@stx.rr.com

Gary Walker (Co-Coordinator)
Phone: (361) 215-5937

Stranding Codes:

• Code 1: Live Stranding
• Code 2: Extremely fresh, no bloating, as if it just died
• Code 3 (Early): Minor bloating, skin peeling
• Code 3 (Late): Moderate decomposition, major bloating, skin peeling, penis may be extended in males
• Code 4: Advanced decomposition, bone may be exposed due to decomposition, major bloating, skin peeling, penis extended in males
• Code 5: Mummified carcass, no organs present
• Code 6: Not found (self-released, strands alive and/or is lost by the tides)

First Aid for live dolphins:

• Call the local stranding network- In Texas call 1-800-9MAMMAL or your local police department
• DO NOT return the animal to the sea- They are there because they are sick or injured, and can no longer swim
• Keep people and pets away from the animal- Only 1 or 2 people are needed until help arrives. Do not leave the animal
• Relieve pressure on the fins- by digging holes under them. To relieve pressure on the lungs, you can dig a pit under the animal and fill it with water
• Keep the animal cool and wet- by splashing water on the skin. Avoid getting water in the blowhole
• Apply wet towels or T-shirts and provide a shade- Keep the blowhole free of obstruction and don't cover the dorsa fin, flippers or tail
• Apply Sunscreens or zinc oxide, NOT suntan oil- The dolphin's skin is very sensitive and can burn severely
• Apply ice packs- to the dorsal fin, pectoral flippers, or flukes, but do not let the ice contact the skin directly
• If the animal is in the surf, support it upright- Keep water out of the blowhole. If possible, move the animal into shallow water but keep it in the water
• Be careful around the powerful tail and jaws

HOW YOU CAN HELP SAVE A DOLPHIN

1. Join the Network! You annual dues provide continued support.
2. Volunteer. (must do step one first) Volunteers are needed in various areas including rehabilitation, recovery, office work, and fund-raising. Your individual skills and interest will be utilized.
3. Purchase our products. We have a variety of items for sale on our main web site's Gift Shop. All moneys gained from these sales go to help stranded marine mammals.
4. Purchase the new "Marine Mammal Recovery License Plate". This license plate provides much needed funding for general operations to keep the Stranding Network solvent and able to function expeditiously.
5. DONATE! Cash is always in short supply. The Stranding Network receives no State or Federal funding and depends on individual donations for support. On the Noah rehab event alone, the cost of salt for his water was $30,000.00!! All donations are tax deductible.
6. Donate SUPPLIES. We are always in need of certain things: Latex Gloves, Masks, Blood Collection tubes, a laptop, a LARGE chest freezer, a Storage unit or portable building, 2-gallon freezer bags, contractors clean-up bags, xl wetsuits. The list goes on and on. If you have a surplus of anything, call us to see if we can use it.
   
   

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Latest Regional News:

• Stranding (Code 1): , CC-243, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at approximately the 18 mile marker on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on 7 April 2007. 20 May 08 Update: Alice made it to SeaWorld San Antonio safely! She was transported by truck in a wet transport box and she did very well for the duration of the trip. When we arrived at SeaWorld, Alice was placed in a med pool next to a tank with a couple of mother/calf Bottlenose dolphin pairs. These dolphins next to her were spy-hopping up to peek over the wall at Alice and they seemed very excited about their new guest. We are told that as soon as Alice is ready, she will more than likely be placed with those female dolphins next to her. Alice seemed to be doing well in her new tank and within an hour after arriving she ate her dinner like a champ. We are so glad that she is finally at her new home and hope that she continues to do well. Updates will be posted as we receive them from SeaWorld. Thanks to all of the TMMSN volunteers have done a great job of working with her every single day, 24 hours a day, over the last year. She wouldn’t be where she is today without you! 31 Mar 08 Update: Alice has been in rehabilitation since April 2007. Since her stranding, Alice has had trouble maintaining stable blood values when she is not on antibiotics/medication. Numerous diagnostics along with many other viral & fungal tests have been completed but there has not been any diagnosis. When she is on medication, her behavior has been normal and active. Consults have been completed with marine mammal vets across the U.S. on her case. After careful consideration of these consults, her medical history and options, the National Marine Fisheries Service has deemed her non-releasable. Our number one goal is always to release a dolphin back into the wild after rehabilitation if at all possible. However, there were many concerns that Alice would not be able to survive in the wild with her current condition and that long term treatment is necessary. Also, she has been in rehabilitation for nearly one year already and it is agreed that it is best for Alice to be with other dolphins as soon as possible. There are several facilities that have shown interest in taking Alice permanently. National Marine Fisheries Service will be making the final determination as to which facility Alice will go. Updates will be posted as they become available. Alice's Webpage
• Stranding (Code 2): CC-242, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at approximately the 4 mile marker on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on 25 March 2007.
• Stranding (Code 6): CC-241, a 3' dolphin was reported stranded at the 10 mile marker on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on February 16th, 2007. However, due to PA-785, we were unable respond until the morning of the 17th. A beach survey was conducted to the 17 mile marker, but we were unable to locate the animal.
• Stranding (Code 2): PA-785, a male bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at the south jetties in Port Aransas on February 16th, 2007 and died at the scene.
• Stranding (Code 4): CC-240,a male bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at the 48 mile marker on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on February 12th, 2007.
• Stranding (Code 3-Early): CC-239,a female bottlenose dolphin (neonate), Tursiops truncatus, stranded on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on January 26th, 2007.
• Stranding (Code 3): , PA-782, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded on Ocean Drive (between Texas A&M University and the Naval Air Station) on January 21st, 2007.
• Stranding (Code 4): , CC-238, a male bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded on Kleberg Beach on January 14, 2007.
• Stranding (Code 1): PA-781, A male manatee, was rescued out of the Corpus Christi Channel at the request of US Fish and Wildlife Service on January 3rd, 2007. The animal was stabilized at Texas State Aquarium from Wednesday evening through Sunday. He was named Dennis after the gentlemen that found him and he weighed in at 870 lbs. This is the first time that TMMSN has had a manatee rescue and once the animal was stabilized it needed very specialized care and needed to be in warmer water as soon as possible. At the request of USFWS, the animal was transported by truck to Florida on January 6th.. We left Corpus Christi with the manatee on Sunday evening and arrived Monday evening. On the transport were several volunteers from Corpus Christi and Galveston that had been working with him, TSA Veterinarian, and two USFWS employees. He did very well in transport and we were able to maintain the target body heat throughout the trip. “Dennis” was transported to the Tampa Lowry Park Zoo where they have several manatees in rehabilitation. Dennis was placed in the tank with a 5-month olk baby manatee that was rescued from the Cayman Islands and another Male. 24 JAN UPDATE: Dennis has started eating and is doing better.
• Stranding (Code 5): CC-237, a bottlenose dolphin (sex undetermined due to condition), Tursiops truncatus, stranded at marker 8.5 (approx) on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on December 23rd, 2006.
• Stranding (Code 3-Late): PA-778, a male bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at Naval Station Ingleside on November 10th, 2006
• Stranding (Code 4): PA-777, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at Wilson Cut on October 30th, 2006
• Stranding (Code 2): PA-776, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded in Portland, Tx on October 27th, 2006
• Stranding (Code 4): CC-236, a bottlenose dolphin (sex undetermined due to condition), Tursiops truncatus, stranded at marker 21(approx) on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on October 14th, 2006.
• Stranding (Code 2): CC-235, a female rough-tooth dolphin, Steno Bredanensis , stranded at marker 40 (approx) on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) on October 4th, 2006.
• Stranding (Code 2): PA-774, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at Villa del sol in Corpus Christi on August 8th, 2006
• Stranding (Code 2): PA-773, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at Cole Park in Corpus Christi on August 8th, 2006
• Stranding (Code 2): CC-234, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded on the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) 25 July, 2006
• Stranding (Code 3): PA-772, a female bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded at Cole Park in Corpus Christi on April 22, 2006.
• Stranding (Code 1): CC-233, an adult male Melon-headed Whale, Peponocephala electra, stranded alive approximate 3 miles south on the Padre Island National Seashore on March 26th, 2006. "Sandy" (rescue video) was transferred to the Texas State Aquarium Sea Lab Facility for rehabilitation, but due to his medical condition he was euthenized on March 30th, 2006.

Upcoming local events:

• The next monthy meeting/gathering will be held on Monday, June 9th. (Location to be determined)
• Saturday, June 14 - National Get Outdoors Day. Camp Fire USA Coastal Bend Council is the local sponsor. 9am - 3pm, at Hazel Bazemore Park.
• Saturday & Sunday, September 27-28. Adventure Bay at BayFest. TMMSN will have a booth set up. Stop by and visit us there!

Items of Interest:

There are 29 species of marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico. Though not all species are found near Corpus Christi and the Texas coastline, most of the species have stranded at some point in history along the Gulf of Mexico's coastline.

Find out about Marine Mammals in the Gulf of Mexico

Cetacea of the World

Glossary of Marine Mammal Terms

The Anatomy of Cetaceans

Links to other Marine Mammal Stranding Networks and other information on Marine Mammals

E-mail questions, comments, and/or suggestions to the TMMSN-CC Webmaster