Orville, just like Rocky and Titan, was rescued out of state. He was found on the beach early in the morning on March 1st, 2007, in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. For the first couple of hours Orville was provided supportive care by an individual who was previously trained in responding to marine mammal strandings. Later that morning Orville was transported to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center whose staff responded to the stranding.
Virginia Aquarium biologists and veterinarians performed an initial assessment of Orville, hydrated him and provided emergency care throughout the day and through the night. The following morning, after consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, it was decided that Orville was going to be transported to the Riverhead Foundation’s marine mammal hospital facility for long-term rehabilitation.
Orville arrived in Riverhead on March 2nd after a two-hour flight to the nearby Gabresky airport. Upon arrival he was placed in the cetacean tank where he was monitored and supported by the Riverhead Foundation biologists.
Rebecca Scott, Riverhead Foundation biologist, supporting Orville.
After a while Orville gained enough strength to be able to support himself, however he was not navigating very well and often approached the walls or even made physical contact with the walls. For the next few hours the staff was present in the tank until Orville started to navigate better.
The staff guided Orville until he gained better navigational skills.
Within a few hours Orville was swimming around using most of the tank.
For the first few days Orville was tube fed electrolyte fluids and then fish slurry. The Riverhead Foundation team also performed another physical examination and collected some diagnostic samples such as blowhole and anal cultures, blood and stomach samples. They also took radiographs (x-rays) of Orville’s chest and stomach area, which showed a slight lung congestion, two fractured ribs and vertebrae. The fractures were determined to be old and healing well.
Biologists administering oral fluids.
Within a few days Orville was offered fish and started eating them quite eagerly. At first he was force fed, then hand fed, and soon after he started taking fish from the water column by himself.
Rob Digiovanni, Foundation Director and Senior Biologist, hand feeding Orville.
Orville was placed on antibiotics and anti-ulcer medication. He was also administered antiparasitics. Orville initially stayed mostly at the surface but within a few days started diving deeper and deeper in the water column. The Riverhead Foundation staff and volunteers ensure an enriched environment by placing various EEDs (Environmental Enrichment Objects) in his tank. The biologists also take periodical hydrophone recordings and closely monitor his behavior.
Riverhead Foundation intern, Colin O'Neill, listening to Orville using a hydrophone.
Orville has recently been taken off all antibiotics and medication. He is active and a very eager eater. He is not making any physical contact with the EEDS, however, he does seem to be “checking out” any new objects placed in his tank by circling them and turning his head towards them.
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June 13, 2007
Orville continues to do well. His last medical treatment revealed another weight gain and overall good body condition. All samples routinely collected during the treatment, such as blood, stomach sample, blowhole and anal culture and blowhole cytology had no signs of inflammation or disease.
Behaviorally Orville has been very active and just recently started physically interacting with the EEDs (environmental enrichment devices) by rubbing his melon against boat bumpers and PVC pipes.
Orville swimming under the EEDs in his tank.
Orville about to make contact with a boat bumper.
Orville’s diet has recently been decreased slightly. His appetite is staying good and he eats all of his feeds very eagerly.
Orville about to eat a fish thrown into his tank.
Orville, just like other cetaceans rehabilitated by the Riverhead Foundation, underwent a procedure of dorsal fin molding. The mold was done by Clay Western, Vice President of Smooth-On (www.smooth-on.com), the same company that donated their products and services for molding other dolphins’ fins. Once Orville is cleared for release the Riverhead Foundation biologists are going to attach a satellite tag to his dorsal fin so that we can monitor his post release movements. The mold of Orville's dorsal fin is going to be used to plan the best satellite tag placement.
Orville's interactions
July 9, 2007
Orville is doing very well and is currently scheduled for release on Tuesday, July 10, 2007. Rob DiGiovanni, Foundation Director and Senior Biologist, attached a satellite tag to Orville's dorsal fin last week as part of the release preparation. The tag is designed to collect information on Orville's location, dive depth and duration. Orville's post release movements will be available on WhaleNet soon after his release.
Mold of Orville's dorsal fin with a mock satellite tag attached prior to actual tagging.
Orville with a satellite tag attached to his dorsal fin.
July 12, 2007
Orville was released into Atlantic Ocean on July 10, 2007, at 10:45 AM!
At 7:30 AM Rob DiGiovanni, Foundation Director and Senior Biologist, started the briefing that included all staff and volunteers participating in the release.
At around 8:30 AM Orville was captured and secured in the stretcher, which was then lifted into the transport vehicle.
Riverhead Foundation staff and volunteers carrying Orville from the dolphin transport truck to his release vessel, R/V Fire Island donated by Landuse Ecological Services, docked at the Shinnecock United States Coast Guard Station.
Riverhead Foundation staff and veterinarian, Dr. Richard Hanusch, situating Orville in his release transport crate on board the release vessel.
Release vessel departing with Orville on board and heading towards Shinnecock Inlet, Long Island, NY.
Orville's release vessel was escorted by four other vessels: two USCG vessels, Suffolk County Sheriff's boat and a support vessel donated by P.W. Grosser Consulting.
Riverhead Foundation staff, volunteers and supporters waving "good-bye" as the release procession travels through the Inlet towards the Atlantic Ocean.
The support vessels followed the release boat closely all the way out to the release site.
About seven miles south of Shinnecock Inlet, Long Island, NY, the vessels stopped and Orville was lifted out of its transport crate...
... and situated on the release platform.
Once everyone was ready and all vessels in position, the platform was tilted...
... and Orville easily slid down into the water - back to his ocean home!
