4 minute read
‘THE PROTECT CENTER’
Islamorada Hospital Will Help Injured Marine Mammals
For 35 years, Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder’s (DPMMR) rescue team has responded to sick and injured whales and dolphins in the Florida Keys. Unfortunately, over the last 10 years, the team lacked the long-term facilities to perform life-saving rehabilitation for animals that need extended care.
In the coming months, a new hospital at the former Latitude 25 building, at MM 82 in Islamorada, will serve marine mammals in need of critical care.
One fundamental aspect of the new hospital is a 40-foot-diameter pool that’s large enough to facilitate long-term rehabilitation for many different marine mammal species. The pool will provide aquatic animals a proper rehabilitation habitat where experienced responders and veterinarians can medically treat critically ill marine mammals. Beyond the pool, the facility will support animal care areas, veterinary labs, office space and storage for DPMMR’s mobile Marine Mammal Response Unit.
Art Cooper, DPMMR founder and primary responder, said the Keys once had a marine mammal hospital that enabled them to rehabilitate and release many wild mammal species. When DPMMR was founded in 2015, Cooper said its sole purpose was to fund and facilitate the rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals.
“I’m thrilled that we’re going to be able to start giving significantly compromised animals a second chance at life again, and for the first time under the guise of DPMMR,” Cooper said.
DPMMR covers the seas between Ocean Reef and the Dry Tortugas, and all the way to the Everglades National Park. The team has responded to nearly 700 marine mammals. For years, the team had no choice but to transport sick marine life to central Florida for medical care, or humanely euthanize dolphins that could have had a second chance at life if the rehab facilities existed.
The hospital, which will be known as the “Protect Center,” will act as a sister facility to the “Connect Center,” located in Key Largo and also operated by Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder. DPMMR’s motto is “Connect to Protect,” and its leaders say they are happy to have both parts of their mission represented at their two facilities.
While the facility will be a working veterinary hospital at its core, the Protect Center will also serve as an education center complete with guided tours, a 3,000-square-foot museum themed around marine conservation, and retail space.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be in the heart of Islamorada,” said Hunter Kinney, director of fundraising, marketing and development for DPMMR. “The community in Islamorada has a strong environmental orientation, so it feels like the perfect location for the Florida Keys’ only dolphin and whale hospital.”
Kinney added that the DPMMR team is designing exhibits and a guided tour that will entertain and educate visitors.
“Our goal is to become a ‘must-see’ stop for families and students visiting the Florida Keys so that we can share the story of whales, dolphins and their conservation,” he said.
“Many people believe if they see a beached dolphin, they should assist by pushing it back out to sea,” said Nancy Cooper, president of DPMMR.
1.DPMMRrespondersMichaelBorguss,top,ArtCooper and Jason Shoemaker assist stranded spinner dolphin nearRabbitKeyinSeptember2016.2.DPMMRassistsin multi-agencyefforttodeterminethecauseofdeathofa spermwhalestrandinginMay2022.3.Criticalcarepools such as the one pictured allow sick and injured dolphins andwhalestobemedicallytreatedandprovideasecond chanceatlife.4.LocalofficialscelebratetheDPMMR’sProtectCenterinIslamoradaonApril4.DPMMR/Contributed
“Unfortunately, that’s a likely death sentence for a sick or injured dolphin. We’re hoping to fill this gap of information and work directly with the public to create future generations of stewards for our oceans.”
The Protect Center had a soft opening on April 5. Many components of the facility are in the planning and development phases with hopes to have the dolphin intensive care unit completed over the summer and a guided tour open shortly thereafter. Additionally, the museum area is expected to take form over the next few months with an anticipated opening in summer 2023.
Until then, Cooper says locals and visitors can stop into the Protect Center gift shop and information center. Starting on April 5, the Protect Center will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors will be able to browse a curated collection of merchandise supporting development efforts of the dolphin intensive care unit, learn more about the future of the center, as well as make contributions toward the $300,000 fundraising campaign necessary to get the project off the ground and ready to save dolphins and whales.
—Contributed
COMMUNITY SOCIAL: 6:15PM
PRESENTATION: 7-8
TUESDAY, APRIL 11: REEF FISH ECOLOGY IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
By: Tracy and Sean McDonald
The Scoreboard
Junior, Marathon Baseball
This Week In Keys Sports
Dylan Ziels
Marathonjuniorace DylanZiels.BARRY GAUKEL/KeysWeekly
When Marathon needs a W, they send Dylan Ziels to the mound. The junior right-hander has delivered for the Fins in four of ve outings this season. On March 31, he sent 15 of 25 batters he faced back to the dugout as he continued to add to his stats. As of April 3, his 80 strikeouts rmly planted him as the FHSAA leader in total strikeouts for the state of Florida this season, with second place a full 20 strikeouts behind. O ensively, Ziels commands respect, too. He has amassed eight hits this season, including three doubles. Ziels’ coach has called his season thus far “nothing short of historic,” solidifying his selection as this week’s Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.
“Dylan is such a coachable, adaptable and hardworking young man. He pours positivity into the team and is constantly that vocal leader that we can count on in any situation.”
–JoeyGonzalez,Marathonbaseballcoach
By: Tracy and Sean McDonald
ABRIANNA MARSHALL SENIOR, MARATHON GUARD
Marshall averaged 15.2 points, 8 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game this season, making her a threat anywhere on the court. The senior captain is described by her coach as a motivator, leader, initiative-taker and incredible athlete. “Abrianna understands the game very well,” said Marathon head coach Andra Garvey. “She can score on any team that she faces and won’t back down from any opponent. She has a will to win.”
Marathon’s Elena Eubank averaged 11.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.6 steals per game this season. Only a sophomore, Eubank plays with a refinement beyond her years. “Elena is a team player; she will play any position you place her in,” said Garvey. “She is an overall athlete. She sets examples for her teammates in and out of basketball and has phenomenal communication skills.”
Hurricane forward Brooke Mandozzi led the Keys in points per game, averaging just over 19, while pulling down 8.3 rebounds and adding 3.5 steals per game. Coach Jarrod Mandozzi explained the crucial role his daughter played this season.
“Brooke carried a lot of responsibility as one of the few returning players with significant varsity experience from last season. She consistently faced double and triple coverage from other teams, but was still able to have a huge impact on the game.”
