Strandings

Apr 3, 2017

Stranding Network Conducts Training on “Calvin”

(pictured, Simulated sedation of “Calvin”,. the 22′ inflatable whale used for training) Members of the NC Marine Mammal Stranding Network from NC State CMAST, NC Division of Marine Fisheries, the NC Aquariums, the NC Maritime Museum, and UNC Wilmington, teamed up with marine salvage experts at TowBoatUS in Morehead City, to conduct a live-stranded, healthy whale…

Mar 8, 2015

NC State CMAST Scientists Involved in Humane Response and Postmortem Examination of Stranded 700lb Leatherback Sea Turtle

[MARCH 10, 2015] (March 10, 2015) On Friday morning March 6th, a leatherback sea turtle was found near Rodanthe, barely alive and half buried in sand. A team from Cape Hatteras National Seashore headed by Paul Doshkov responded. In consultation with Craig Harms, Veterinarian and Director of Marine Health Programs at NCSU CMAST and Matthew…

Dec 4, 2014

Stranding Team Responds to Bottlenose Dolphin Stranding on Ocracoke

The DMF/CMAST stranding team responded to the stranding of a bottlenose dolphin early Monday morning. The team, led by Dr. Vicky Thayer of NC DMF/CMAST, took the 7 am ferry to Ocracoke to meet Cape Hatteras National Park Service biologists Paul Doshkov, James Yrigoyen, and William Thompson at the stranding site. Dr. Thayer was accompanied…

Mar 11, 2014

Leatherback Sea Turtle Stranded in Atlantic Beach

On Saturday, March 8, a large sea turtle was reported stranded in Atlantic Beach, NC. Veterinarians and staff from NCSU-CMAST responded to find an adult female leatherback turtle in shallow surf just off the New Bern Street public beach access point. Leatherbacks are the largest of all sea turtles, and are very rarely seen nesting…

Jan 17, 2014

Pelican Patched up at CMAST

On Wednesday, January 15th, 2014, a juvenile brown pelican was witnessed by Carteret Community College students and staff exhibiting abnormal behavior. CMAST staff from NCSU-CVM were contacted to observe and examine the bird. Veterinarians Dr. Emily Christiansen and Dr. Jennifer Niemuth (pictured on the right) assessed the health of the pelican through a physical exam and…

Dec 16, 2013

Stranding Team Responds to Ocean Sunfish Stranding

On December 15, Dr. Vicky Thayer received a live stranding report of a “black dolphin or black whale” off Lola Drive in Cedar Island. The report was that it was “alive and dolphin-like.” The Stranding Team mobilized in two vehicles, prepared for live-stranded cetacean such as Risso’s dolphin or perhaps a pilot whale. However, when…