Recently, the marine mammal team at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas announced they had tracked and located a male spotted dolphin the facility had rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the ocean over 5 years ago under the auspices of the company's Blue Project Foundation. The successful return of this animal was due in large part to a series of fortunate factors including the longitudinal study of these resident dolphins. In fact, scientists knew of this animal, its birth year, dam, and migration habits long before it was found stranded and near death at age 9. Thanks to this field evidence and the generous contributions from scientists in the Bahamas and the US including Dr Randy Wells at Mote Marine Lab, the team at the Dolphin Communication Project, the Wild Dolphin Project and others, the animal not only was returned to health and eventually the ocean, but he has since thrived having rejoined his social group. Vice President of Marine Mammal Operations for Atlantis, Ted Turner describes this historic journey for this extraordinary animal nicknamed "M & M."

Animal Care Software

Recently, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced a new primate ambassador policy that essentially curtails the practice of having closer contact between primates and the public. Primatologist, Dr. Samantha Russak, Chief of Welfare and Research for Tanganika Wildlife Park in Goddard Kansas joins Zoo Logic to discuss the new policy's drawbacks and inconsistencies at a time when hand-rearing primates has largely gone the way of the dodo in accredited facilities. In addition, Dr. Sam touches on the Well-Being Summit put on by AZA this past week which included key speakers from anti-zoo and aquarium organizations lecturing zoo professionals on welfare practices.

Animal Care Software

Dr. Rick LeCouteur is a retired veterinary neurosurgeon originally from Australia. His new children's book entitled Nasty Names Are Hurtful: An Australian white ibis responds to name-calling in the city highlights the repercussions of human activities on wild habitats and underscores the importance of empathy and acceptance. Young readers will learn about a resilient species once on the verge of extinction that has since adapted to the loss of wetlands by surviving in urban areas.