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)
Phone: (361) 991-6480
Cell: (361) 947-4313
Fax: (361) 991-0907
E-mail: gwalker4@stx.rr.com

Gary Walker (Co-Coordinator)
Phone: (361) 215-593

• 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-284, a male bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, stranded on the Padre Island National Seashore on 7 December 2010. "Buc-ee" was transferred to Galveston's rehabilitation facility for treatment but unfortunately succumed to his illness on 21 December. A necropsy is planned and results will be posted when they are available..

Upcoming local events:

• Next m onthy gathering of the TMMSN-CC group will be held on Monday, January 10th, 2011 at Beamer's on Staples. The party starts at 7:00PM---see you 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