Behind the Science: What Happens at a Marine Mammal Conference?
When you think about marine mammal research, you might picture scientists out on boats, watching dolphins underwater, collecting data, or tracking whales. But research doesn’t stop when scientists leave the field, and sharing what we’ve learned is another important part of the job. Every two years, the Society for
Field Season Blog: Trip 6
Every trip aboard the Stenella brings something new and exciting. This trip was filled with curious dolphin encounters, valuable intern training, and experiences that reminded us just how lucky we are to see a glimpse into the lives of the Atlantic spotted dolphins that the Wild Dolphin Project has been
Trip 5: The Three Musketeers
Our fifth trip of the season yielded several challenges that remind us how difficult field work can be. From unexpected weather to boat issues, Trip 5 packed a real punch. This is why preparation and safety are so important to any field project since you never know what you may
A Surprise Encounter With Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins
By Trip 8, we had settled into the rhythm of working on the bank and the season was almost at an end. This one particular late August morning, we had spent time with the Atlantic spotted dolphins, collecting behavioral data and observations as we followed the group through the water.
How Do Scientists Collect DNA From Wild Dolphins Without Capturing Them?
Swimming with wild dolphins is an incredible way to study them. As researchers, we can observe their behavior up close, record their sounds, and document interactions that would be difficult to see from a boat. There is so much happening below the surface that we can capture! And sometimes, the
Field Season Blog: Trip 4
Trip 4: The Calm Between the Clicks Every trip out on the water brings something different, and trip 4 was no exception. While we were fortunate to have beautiful weather, bringing about lots of opportunities for encounters, we quickly noticed a pattern in the Atlantic spotted dolphins’ behavior. Being among
Field Season Blog: Trip 3
Trip 3: The Fins in the North This year has continued to bring us unexpected curveballs this field season. Following our second trip, our research vessel Stenella needed a little T.L.C. in the yard before going back out to the Bahamas. After her week at the “boat spa”, she
Field Season Blog: Trip 2
Trip 2: Close Encounters of the Dolphin Kind After an eventful first trip of our 42nd season, we were all eager to get back to the Bahamas to continue our field work. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. Due to rough seas, we could not cross over on our usual
Field Season Blog: Trip 1
Trip 1: Forty-Two Seasons and Counting The 42nd summer season is officially underway, and if the first trip was any indication, we are in for a very exciting summer at sea. The Bahamas welcomed us back with a little bit of everything: gorgeous dolphin encounters, beautiful snorkels, and amazing
Meet our Intern: Taylor Snudden
Growing up in New Jersey, Taylor always knew she wanted to work with animals and contribute to conservation efforts. Her passion for wildlife led her to a job at a conservation zoo, where she gained hands-on experience caring for animals and educating visitors about the importance of protecting them. But it