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VOLUME 18
uLook at us!...2
uRIMS Update....3
ISSUE 4
2014
The Dolphin
gazette
uHoliday Specials!....4
N E W S L E T T E R F O R T H E D O L P H I N C O M M U N I C AT I O N P R O J E C T
The Dolphin Communication Project (DCP) is focused on the dual goals of scientific research and education.
Happy Holidays! Check out our NEW website!
I am not sure where this year has gone! The holiday season is
already upon us! At DCP, we’ve been very busy. And, not only with
data analyses. With this issue of the Dolphin Gazette, we proudly
announce our completely NEW website! Check it out
at www.
dolphincommunicationproject.org. Our site is now full of updated
content, more details about our collaborators and a more clear mission
statement and focus for our programs - both research and education!
(We have more than 1900 pages of information about dolphin science!)
We also have several holiday special offers and a few new products
available to support our program. Also in this issue, Kel summarizes
the Bimini field season and I present an overview of my field session
to Roatan in October. We also include details about DCPs 2015 ecotour offerings - to Roatan and a special SCUBA trip to Orange Cay! For
our college student readers, check out the information about Sacred Heart
University’s field course to Bimini, The Bahamas! There are a few spaces still
available!
Cheers!
Kathleen
NEW! Mailing Address
Dolphin Communication Project
P.O. Box 7485
Port St. Lucie, FL 34985
USA
In this issue
Our New Look | Report
from
RIMS
|
Holiday
Specials | Off-season in
Bimini | 2015 Field Course
| Juliet 2015 | Name-AD o l p h i n | A c t i v i t y Ti m e
Thank you Volunteers &
Interns!!
DCP thanks Nicole Danaher-Garcia for
your help this fall & to those supporters
who joined our RIMS trip. Without your
assistance, DCP’s data analysis and
collection could not run so smoothly. Well
done and thank you!
Internships
If you are interested in interning with
DCP during a fall, spring or summer
semester, more information is available on
our website. Please note, most internships
are office-based and do NOT include
field work. Check out the web site before
contacting us at [email protected].
A whole new look...
www.DolphinCommunicationProject.org is New & Improved!
It’s nearly time to say goodbye to
2014. And now, it is time to say
the same to our website’s old look
and “heeeellllllo!” to our new and
improved website.
The new
www.dolphincommunicationproject.org
is not only sleek and modern in looks,
it has improved functionality and new
content.
With our new website - our second major revision since DCP’s incorporation 15 years ago comes a new, streamlined mission: “To promote the scientific study of dolphins and inspire their
conservation.”
We’ve been working hard these past few months to update our site. It’s shiny and new with a fresh,
clean look, but also some much needed under-the-hood updates. The site will now look awesome
on any device - computer, tablet or smartphone. We’ve streamlined our menu and content to make
it easier to find the dolphin information you’re after. We’ve also added extra information about all
of the amazing people who collaborate with DCP - from our core group of researchers, through to
our volunteers and interns, as well as outside researchers, research organization and universities.
Now everybody we work with has a little bit of real estate on our website - which allows us to show
off DCP’s global reach. We’ve made it easier to listen to past episodes of The Dolphin Pod, and
to browse through our Dolphin FAQs and Science Factoids. You can now follow along with our
Field Reports and the DCP blog via a single RSS feed. Our Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin pages have
received a bit of a face lift, and we’ve updated all of the information on our dolphins to reflect what
we’ve learned after observing them around Bimini this past summer. And finally, we’ve updated
our Membership page and
are really hoping to welcome
scores of new DCP Members
over the next few weeks. For
a small research organization,
we’re certainly punching
above our weight as far as
websites go.
What are you waiting for?
Go check it out!
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RIMS: A soggy report from Roatan
Submitted by Kathleen Dudzinski, PhD
With four DCP supporters (Jeanne, Lance, Ron and Bill), I
spent the last week of October at Anthony’s Key Resort on
Roatan to continue our long-term studies of the bottlenose
dolphins that reside near Bailey’s Key. You might catch a
glimpse of the dark, ominous sky in the background of the
photo of Lance, Jeanne and Maury to the right! This photo
was snapped just before a hard downpour!! In fact, our
week of study was characterized by rain ... and lots of it. I
feel comfortable saying that in the 12 years during which
I’ve been studying the dolphins at the Roatan Institute for
Marine Sciences (RIMS), this year presented the wettest
week yet! It rained every night and everyday. We did see the
sun a few times. But, I’m not writing a weather report, rather
DCP supporters get up close & personal with a DCP
research subject!
I am sharing with you an update about our data collected at RIMS last month. Despite the soggy days, we collected
about 3 hours of video data with the MVA. Again this year, I attached a GoPro to the top of the MVA to provide a wider
angle than the MVA for confirming dolphin IDs! The GoPro footage will be very helpful when logging this year’s footage
because the dolphins were routinely very close to me. They were very inquisitive! I was also able to record a few training
sessions with Teri: with me filming the underwater view, Teri worked with Hector and Han a couple of times on “tandem
create.” In short, the dolphins are asked to do something new to their training session and to do the behavior together!
The idea behind this training routine is to be able to understand a bit about the innovative abilities of dolphins.
In addition to the MVA data, we deployed the SM2M (Song Meter SM2M Marine from Wildlife Acoustics) again for about
5 days of recording passive acoustics. Our protocol had the SM2M recording 10 minutes of every hour from Sunday
afternoon to Friday morning, when I recovered the unit. In total, we recorded about 240 minutes of audio data each
day for 5 days, which yielded about 20 hours of data that we will analyze this winter. We are about half way through
examining the data collected last year with the same protocol and gear with the data suggesting that these dolphins do
have set periods of time on the 24 hr clock during which they
are more vocal. But, I’ll save more details on the analyses for
the next issue of the Gazette!
Overall, the trip was a sucess! We came home with audio
and video data, experienced a different weather pattern and
got to learn a bit more about dolphin creativity! Check out the
website for the RIMS Eco-tour page to see details already
scheduled for our 2015 return visit to Roatan and Anthony’s
Kathleen’s view after finishing a morning observation
session!!
Key Resort!
Cheers,
Kathleen
3
Join #TeamDolphin this holiday season!
Our holiday shopping options do good!
It’s time to put a little more dolphin in your life by purchasing a dolphin-themed
gift that will also help support dolphin science and conservation. The Dolphin
Communication Project is in the holiday spirit, and we’ve designed a stellar
lineup of unique dolphin-themed gifts. 100% of the proceeds will go towards
funding our non-profit research and education efforts.
#TeamDolphin Shirts
Check out our official #TeamDolphin t-shirt. We’ve launched a holiday t-shirt fundraising campaign
featuring a trendy version of DCP’s dolphin logo, together with our official #TeamDolphin hashtag.
Order by 8 December at https://www.bonfirefunds.com/dcps-dolphin-science-fund.
Black Friday through Cyber Monday:
Adopt a dolphin (see page 9) or Donate $25 or more and receive a
link to view our brand new Adopt-A-Dolphin slideshow AND two 5x7
prints of Bimini dolphins, FREE!
2 December through New Year’s Day:
Adopt a dolphin (see page 9) or Donate $25 or more and receive a
link to our brand new Adopt-A-Dolphin slideshow FREE!
Limited Time Holiday Bundle:
All season long, choose a Book & Adoption Kit Bundle for just
$45.** Our Adopt-A-Dolphin slideshow becomes a beautiful, 8x6
soft-cover photobook delivered to your door. Adoption kits include a
personalized certificate, dolphin biography, photos, a DVD and more. Choose from: Freckles, Prince William, Noodle, Split
Jaw and Leslie. Visit DCP’s website to order your Book & Adoption Kit Bundle today!
Something special, all year long:
Our Adopt-A-Dolphin 8x6 soft-cover photobook will be available all year round.** For $30, you can admire the Bimini
Adopt-A-Dolphins all year round!
Plus, any adoption renewals, repeat donations or membership renewals received throughout the year will receive a link to
our Adopt-A-Dolphin slideshow, FREE!
**Because everyone needs a little fine print: Book & Adoption Kit Bundle price ($45) and Adopt-A-Dolphin photobook price ($30) include standard
shipping within the US. Expedited and international shipping are extra. And, of course, photobook deals are subject to availability.
Freckles
Noodle
Split Jaw
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Prince Wiliam
Leslie
‘Tis the off-season in Bimini
Submitted by Kelly Melillo Sweeting
During the summer, when we’re bouncing between
boat trips, field reports and data collection/analysis,
it always seems like there will be more hours in
the day come fall. Yet, here I am, once again,
wondering how we’ll stay on top of our Bimini
data! Along with our colleague, Dr. Deirdre Yeater,
Kathleen and I have submitted a short manuscript
for publication and have a full paper in the works.
Volunteer-extra-ordinaire Nicole and I have been
attacking the backlog of still photos. We’re thrilled to have just added ID#105 (pictured here) to our Atlantic
spotted dolphin photo-ID catalog the other day! Next up, I’ll be reviewing our 2014 video for clips that are just
right for our annual update of the Adopt-A-Dolphin DVD and logging all video for individual dolphins in view.
Soon, it will be time to accept applications for the 2015 summer internship positions (stay tuned!) and prepare for
the 2015 research season. As usual, the season will kick off with a field course with University of New Brunswick
Saint John. If you are interested in literally getting your feet wet with DCP in Bimini, apply to our field course with
Sacred Heart University - field dates 26 May - 7 June. Hurry, applications are due 15 December!
Soon it will be time to post the first Bimini field report to the new DCP website. Woo-who!
Cheers,
~Kel
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Juliet 2015
Come a-SCUBA-diving!
Join our “SCUBA sail” aboard the Juliet in 2015!
Several long-time DCP supporters like the idea of a return to a boat-based
eco-tour that might also offer SCUBA diving. So, we connected with Kat - one
of DCP’s first field interns, now a SCUBA instructor and boat captain - to see
to see if we could find a way to do such a trip. So, from 15-21 August 2015, a
lucky 12 individuals will board the M/V Juliet in Miami, FL; clear customs in Bimini, The Bahamas; and then sail
south toward Orange Cay, SCUBA diving along the way! DCP will of course document any dolphins that might
be hanging out near Orange Cay, the site of our 2006 exploratory photo-ID survey. There are 12 bunks aboard
the Juliet - 4 are in private (their own heads*) double cabins and 8 are in double cabins with a shared head. And,
as of 24 November 2014, there are ONLY 4 spaces left!!
Contact DCP ([email protected])
to join our team and volunteers to
SCUBA dive (or snorkel) and enjoy a
warm August week of sailing!
A shared head cabin is $1,860/
person; a private cabin is $2,060/
person.
We look forward to sharing the week
aboard the Juliet with you!!
* head = bathroom on a boat
Did you know...
Did you know that scientists recently discovered that dolphins
are sensitive to magnetic fields? It was long suspected that
dolphins were able to detect magnets using the trace amounts
of a substance called “magnetite” in their heads. But a recent
study confirmed that dolphins are not only able to sense a
magnetic field, but are seemingly attracted to magnets! Here’s
a link to the article (Kremers et al. 2014):
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00114-014-1231-x
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A New DCP Collaborator - Azura
by Amy Whit, CEO, Azura
Azura Consulting LLC is a new woman-owned small business working to
empower people and organizations to meet their goals while also conserving
natural resources and minimizing impacts to the environment. Azura also aims
to foster environmental stewardship and an excitement for science within our
communities.
Azura CEO Amy Whitt, M.E.M. founded the company in September 2014, to
provide environmental consulting, educational outreach, and editing services.
Amy has over 11 years of professional experience in marine mammal research and environmental management. Prior
to founding Azura, Amy served as the Marine Science Program Manager and Scientific Diving Program Manager for
VersarGMI. She has conducted marine studies across the globe for a variety of clients including federal and state
agencies, the oil and gas industry, and the offshore renewable
energy industry.
Amy’s passion for conservation and outreach and dedication
to helping others find solutions to their problems motivated her
to develop Azura and bring together a diverse team of expert
scientists, writers, and informal educators to contribute this
unique blend of services. Azura also fosters solid partnerships
with other small businesses, non-profit organizations, and
academic institutions. By harnessing the expertise of a network
of specialists, Azura provides the best possible team for each
specific project.
Azura and DCP have formed a strong partnership and will be collaborating on future marine mammal studies and
outreach and education opportunities. DCP’s Director Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski and Amy have a long history of working
together in the environmental consulting industry. Also an Associate Scientist with Azura, Kathleen will work with Amy
and the rest of the Azura team to promote marine acoustics services focused on marine species research and the
implementation of acoustic monitoring/mitigation plans to minimize impacts of anthropogenic sounds on the marine
environment. As partners, Azura and DCP will also seek out opportunities to enhance and expand educational outreach
programs to promote marine conservation in our communities. Visit Amy/Azura’s collaborator page on the DCP web
site or check out Amy’s web site (www.azuraco.com)
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Name-A-Dolphin: #70
Here’s your chance to name a wild dolphin!
DCP ID#070 is an adult female. She
was first recorded by DCP researchers
off Bimini, The Bahamas in 2002. At this
time, #70 was already a young adult and
appeared to have a calf in tow. Although
she has not been seen every single
year since, she is seen very regularly
and almost always has a youngster with
her. Her most recent calf was a little
girl, but with no permanent markings,
this little one has not been entered into
DCP’s ID catalog. Having acquired only
mild scarring over the years herself,
researchers rely on clear views of #70’s
well-spotted body in order to confirm her presence in
the group. She is typically in groups of sub-adults and Head here to name ID#70:
adults; most recently she was hanging with Lil’ Jess http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/index.
php/shop/name-a-dolphin/name-070
(#35). Who will she be with next?
As the supporter who names ID#70 you will receive
her first ever adoption kit:
You can name ID#70 by visiting DCP’s
name-a-wild-dolphin page at
http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.
org/index.php/shop/name-a-dolphin/name070
--> An official naming certificate
--> Photograph of ID#70
--> Details on how to download dolphin vocalizations from
the Bimini adopt-a-dolphins as a ringtone or audio file
--> DVD containing video of the Bimini dolphins
This dolphin can only receive one name.
Let it be your pick!!
--> Biography of ID#70
--> Welcome letter and registration info
--> Information Booklet with Atlantic spotted dolphin fact
sheet and info about DCP
--> Dolphin trading card sample
Plus:
--> Special ID#70 t-shirt
--> Dolphins: The Lighter Side (DVD)
--> Signed copy of Dolphin Mysteries or Are Dolphins Really
Smart
The cost of this rare opportunity is $750.
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Adopt a Wild Dolphin
www.adoptawilddolphin.com
What’s in your
Adoption Kit?
Dolphins currently up
for adoption
Adopting a wild
dolphin with DCP
helps to fund:
The purchase of new research equipment
(e.g., cameras, underwater microphones)
Conservation and education programs on
Bimini, in the US and around the world
Publication and dissemination of
DCP’s research results to the scientific
community and the general public
Tootie
An official adoption certificate
dolphin communication project
Maintenance of the DCP website, field
reports, and our podcast The Dolphin Pod
Photograph of your adopted dolphin
Details on how to download dolphin
vocalizations from the Bimini adopt-adolphins as a ringtone or audio file
Classroom education programs for
school-aged children including DCP
Youth Program, Dolphin Research
Trainee, Classroom Connections
DVD containing video of the Bimini
dolphins
DeeBee
Biography of your adopted dolphin
Volunteer, ecotour and internship
opportunities for the public
dolphin communication project
Welcome letter and registration info
Information Booklet with Atlantic spotted
dolphin fact sheet and info about the
Dolphin Communication Project
Check page 8 for our
current Name-A-Dolphin
opportunity!
Dolphin trading card sample
Holiday gift ideas
www.cafepress.com/holidaydolphin
Adopt-a-wild-dolphin t-shirts
tinyurl.com/ylfx44v
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DCP Announcements!
Calling New Members!
The Dolphin Communication Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
that relies on support from the public to conduct our scientific research and
offer education opportunities to people of all ages. Your generosity is the
lifeblood of our organization, and we could not operate without the public funds
we receive through memberships, donations, and our Adopt-A-Wild-Dolphin
program. Every scientific article we’ve published and every student mentorship
opportunity we’ve provided has been made possible by financial support from
people just like you. You can become a member of the Dolphin Communication
Project by making a one-time donation or becoming a Sustaining Member via a
monthly contribution. All members will receive a Welcome Pack which includes a
welcome letter and an online subscription to our newsletter, The Dolphin Gazette.
Show your support by becoming a member today!
http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/index.php/shop/membership-program
Sustaining Memberships:
Annual Memberships:
Donate from $5 to $100/month
and receive DCP trading cards, a
notepad or water bottle!
Student: $20
Individual: $30
Family: $45
Supporting: $75
Contributing: $150
Patron: $500
Supporting, Contributing & Patron
Members receive a DVD copy of Dolphins - The Lighter Side. Contributing
& Patron Members also receive a photo
album featuring images and information
about all of our adopt-a-wild-dolphins.
Did you decifer the codes? ...
puzzle answers from the last Dolphin Gazette!
1. Letters in the Alphabet
12. Dollars for Passing Go in
22. Days in February in a Leap Year
2. Wonders of the World
Monopoly
23. Squares on a Chessboard
3. Arabian Nights
13. Sides on a Stop Sign
24. Inches in a Foot
4. Signs of the Zodiac
14. Blind Mice (See How They Run)
25. Days in a Week
5. Cards in a deck (with Jokers)
15. Quarts in a Gallon
26. Outs in an Inning
6. Planets in Solar System
16. Hours in a Day
27. Ways to Leave your Lover
7. Piano Keys
17. Horn on a Unicorn
8. Stripes on the American Flag
18. Digits in a Zip Code
Dolphin Puzzlers:
9. Degrees Fahrenheit at which
19. Heinz Variety
88 Teeth in a Bottlenose Dolphin Skull
Water Freezes
20. Players on a Football Team
2 B V T for D
10. Holes on a golf course
21. Words that Picture is Worth
33 Species of Oceanic Dolphins
11. Degrees in a Right Angle
(Typo - D = P. Sorry!)
10
6 Species of Porpoise
DCP’s Adopt-a-Dolphin Program
DCP currently has ~20 dolphins from our catalog of Atlantic spotted dolphins residing
around Bimini, The Bahamas available for adoption. While adoptive parents do not get
to take their dolphins home, they will receive a certificate of adoption, a photo of their
adopted dolphin, some facts about Atlantic spotted dolphins, information about DCP and
our research around Bimini and a dolphin video. They will also receive the most recent
edition of the Dolphin Gazette, DCP’s quarterly newsletter, announced quarterly by
eblast. Be sure to send us your email address, or subscribe online at the newsletter page!.
All
dolphin
help
support
adoptions
our
through
dolphin
DCP
research
throughout the world, and the creation
and implementation of local, national,
and international education programs for
students of all ages.
Each adoption costs $30 and lasts for
one year. Become a spotted dolphin
parent today & support valuable scientific
research!.
Yes! I want to Some of our dolphins are listed below. For a complete list & all dolphin biographies, check out www.adoptawilddolphin.com
Juliette | Niecey | Tilly | Swoosh | Milo | Lone Star | Trudy | Tina | Lumpy | Lil’ Jess |
adopt a dolphin!
Freckles | Split jaw | Noodle
I would like to adopt a dolphin: $30 for one year. Dolphin name: ____________________
Please cut out and mail your order form, with check, to DCP at P.O. Box 711, Old Mystic, CT 06372-0711.
Credit card payment is available online through our web site at www.dolphincommunicationproject.org
Please SEND my adoption package to:
If this is a gift, please note gift GIVER address:
Name: ____________________________
Address: __________________________
__________________________________
_________________________________
City: ____________ State: ____ Zip: ____
Email:_____________________________
Name: ____________________________
Address: ___________________________
_ _________________________________
___________________________________
City: ___________ State: ____ Zip: _____
Email:_____________________________
Postcards
$1.00 each/ 3 for $2
Iruka Gear
To purchase Iruka gear visit
www.cafepress/irukagear
Membership
Sustaining Memberships:
Donate from $5 to $100/month and receive DCP trading cards, a notepad
or water bottle!
Annual Memberships :
Notecards
$2.50 each/ 3 for $6
DCP Gear
To purhcase DCP gear, visit
www.cafepress/dcpgear
Student: $20
Individual: $30
Family: $45
Supporting: $75
Contributing: $150
Patron: $500
Supporting, Contributing & Patron Members receive a DVD copy of
Dolphins - The Lighter Side. Contributing & Patron Members also receive
a photo album featuring images and information about all of our adopt-awild-dolphins. All members receive a Welcome Packet. All gifts subject to
availability and may change.
Visit www.dolphincommunicationproject.org to become a member today!
Support DCP’s research efforts buy purchasing some of the many products that
we offer for sale. All products seen here are also available on our website: www.
dolphincommunicationproject.org All profits from the sale of these products will directly fund
DCP’s research and education efforts. DCP is a nonprofit organization.
11
Coloring Time!
Here’s a fun coloring page for your next snow day or anytime you need some indoor fun!
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