The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation

Titan was released on July 5, 2006, at 10:30 AM eight miles off of Shinnecock Inlet!

On the morning of April 7th, 2006, a male harbor porpoise stranded in Jamestown, Rhode Island, at Fort Getty and was transported to the Mystic Aquarium and Institute of Exploration in Connecticut for initial assessment and triage.

Animal supported by Cindy Sexton, Mystic Aquarium's Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program Stranding Assistant.

Once at Mystic Aquarium, the porpoise was monitored throughout the night by the Aquarium's staff and volunteers (Cindy Sexton, Stranding Assistant (right) handing the porpoise off Tom Longo, a volunteer with Mystic Aquarium).

The animal, a 53 lbs male, was examined by the Aquarium’s veterinary staff and stabilized for transport to the Riverhead Foundation for further assessment and long term rehabilitation. Mystic Aquarium and Institute of Exploration and the Riverhead Foundation are a part of the Northeast Region Stranding Network and, as such, promote the understanding, management, and conservation of marine mammals through stranding response, rehabilitation, research and outreach.

The transport of the animal was sponsored by the Cross Sound Ferry, which secured space for the 25-foot rescue truck. The animal was then transferred from its temporary holding tank at Mystic Aquarium into the rescue vehicle and transported to the Riverhead Foundation at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium.

Dolphin rescue truck with the porpoise on board the Cross Sound Ferry on the way from New London, CT, to Orient Point, NY.

Upon arrival to the rehabilitation facility the animal was given a short physical examination and administered fish slurry and fluids.

Once in the water, the animal was initially supported by the biologists, but within a few minutes he was able to swim slowly and stay at the surface unassisted.

Julika Wocial, rescue program supervisor, supporting the porpoise in the rehabilitation tank.

This morning the animal’s swimming pattern has improved and he seems to be more alert than the previous day. He was administered fish slurry and fluids in the morning and then offered fish later on in the day. A stomach sample was collected to check it for an infection. Additionally he was treated for parasites. The biologists are closely monitoring his swimming pattern, behavior and breathing rates.

Yesterday the Riverhead Foundation's veterinarians examined the animal and collected a blood sample. The porpoise was also weighed again and measurements were taken.

Dr. Rob Pisciotta, Riverhead Foundation's veterinarian, collecting a blood sample from the animal.

The porpoise is still on assisted feeds, however, the biologists are able to hand feed him small herring in the tank without holding him. He seems to be making progess with every feed.

This morning a chest radiograph (x-ray) was taken of the porpoise. The animal was captured in the tank and secured within a specialized stretcher for transport out of the tank and into the treatment / radiograph room. The Foundation's radiograph equipment was obtained through funding from the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.

The feeding session after the treatment went well, and as of today the porpoise is eating completely on his own.

The porpoise continues to eat and swim well. He does not make contact with any objects placed in his tank for enrichment, however, he seems to be very aware of all the EEDs (environmental enrichment devices) and often turns his head towards them while swimming by.

This morning the Riverhead Foundation staff performed another routine physical examination of the porpoise. The biologists weighed the animal, which showed a 7-lbs weight gain over the last 12 days, collected a blood sample and took a blowhole culture. Dr. Rich Hanusch, the Riverhead Foundation veterinarian, examined the animal and determined that the previously observed skin lesions are healing well and do not show any indication of an infection.

The porpoise continues to be doing well. He was placed on antibiotics a few days ago as a precautionary measure due to recent blowhole test results. The name contest is ongoing so we should name him soon! He has made physical contact with the walls and the bottom of the tank but we have not observed him physically interacting with any of the enrichment objects yet. He does approach them very closely though (see photos below).

This morning the Riverhead Foundation biologists and veterinary staff performed another routine physical examination of the porpoise.

The animal was weighed, which showed a weight gain since the last procedure, and the length and girth were taken.

The biologists also collected blood, which was sent out to the lab for analysis to check for any possible signs of infection. Some of the serum obtained from the blood sample was archived in an ultra-low freezer for future virology analysis. The blowhole was cultured and will be tested for bacterial flora within the upper respiratory system.

The treatment took place poolside and the porpoise did very well throughout the procedure. His skin was examined for an infection and rinsed with an antibiotic solution. Overall Dr. Pisciotta was pleased with the healing of the skin and the body condition of the porpoise.

This morning the Riverhead Foundation staff performed another physical examination on Titan. He was weighed and measured, which showed a weight gain of 6.6 lbs since the previous treatment. The biologists also collected a blood sample and a blowhole culture.

In addition to the routine procedure the staff took demensions of Titan's dorsal fin - height, length, and width. This information is neccesary for determining proper placement of the satellite tag which will be used to track Titan after he is relased. Even though the porpoise is still on antibiotics he is doing very well and the biologists have begun release preparations for the end of June.

Titan was observed making physical contact with the environmental enrichment devices placed in his tank today. Below is a video showing Titan interacting with the objects in the water.

Titan is interacting with the EEDs (Environmental Enrichment Devices) not only at the surface now but also in the water column. See the video below!

Titan continues to do well. His blood values are all within normal ranges and he continues to gain weight. Behaviorally Titan is very active and interacts with the enrichment objects in his tank.

The Riverhead Foundation has started to plan for his release! Titan will be equipped with a satellite tag, which will provide valuable information about his post release movements as well the depth and duration of the dives. In addition, Titan was freeze branded identification numbers on both sides of his body that will be visible each time he surfaces. Freeze branding is a standard procedure applied on many cetaceans that allow for a positive identification in the wild many years after the release.

Titan remained very calm during the procedure and his breathing rates were stable. Right after the treatment Titan was lowered back into his tank and offered fish, which he ate very eagerly.

Titan interacting with the environmental enrichment objects shortly after the treatment.

Titan’s road to recovery is almost at an end. Last week, as part of Titan release plan, the Riverhead Foundation biologists and veterinarians attached a mock satellite tag to Titan’s dorsal fin. Prior to release a real satellite tag is going to be mounted on the dorsal fin to provide the biologists with important information on Titan’s post release movements. The treatment went very well and Titan’s behavior has not altered after the tag attachment. He continues to be active and keeps interacting with the objects in the tank.

The custom made pins used for the tag mounting were generously donated by the John Prosock Machine, Inc.