| 16 July 2008
Charlie Key is the volunteer manager of the Sarasota Snook Foundation office. A retired Navy submarine Commander, Charlie is the detail man who keeps the organization ship shape, just as you’d expect from a US Naval Officer. The Navy doesn’t give command of a piece of equipment worth millions to someone who is not business like.
Charlie Key came on board The Snook Foundation as a volunteer in 2005 and has since made the Foundation’s office his command. We really respect his no nonsense attitude and manner.
At first glance, Charlie, a big, ruddy fellow, is keen of eye. If he were an actor he would be perfectly cast as a Naval Commander because that's who he is.
Most folks would probably not suspect that this big man also volunteers hundreds of hours, many in four hour increments (often in the middle of the night), monitoring and gently holding injured animals such as pygmy killer whales. The whales and dolphin now in residence at The Marine Mammal Center, require 24 hour care. Charlie, just like many, really cares about creatures, both great and small.
There is a something about marine life, especially large swimming mammals that draws our hearts. We have a connection that makes it easy to relate.
When you consider how easy it is for humans to mess things up, it is also striking to see how much we care. The easy and gentle cooperation between so many individuals that has made it possible for these two whales to survive the last 45 days is something we should be proud of and hold on to
The two pygmy whales now in residence at Mote, were found beached on June 16th, by respected fly fishing guide,Capt Pete Greenan, of Boca Grande and friend. Pete, phoned FWC biologists, who transported both whales, now dubbed Pete and Dallas, to Mote Animal Care Center, where they are now being looked after by scientists and volunteers like Charlie.
With only a 25% prognosis of survival upon arrival, the whales have beat the odds making it through the first 45 days of recuperation. You can get an idea of the enormous effort, methodical and excellent care they have received and follow their progress (see link below).
Sea turtles, dolphin and manatees have all been treated since Mote began working with stranded animals in 1969
Whether we are struggling to save the life of a beached whale, a species, or our estuaries, things can get complicated.
Our different perspectives limit our understanding of the situation and of each other; yet it's these limitations that create a real need for us to work together. Anglers, Wildlife officers, Scientists and Volunteers all are contributing to keeping Dallas and Pete alive. Ideally, our different perspectives provide the basis for more complete solutions.
Whether this is something that we learn or it is something that is hard-wired into us, it seems that most humans care about creatures -- a mystery we are glad to be a part of.
Dallas gets a CT Scan, donated by Axcess Diagnostics of Sarasota and Dr. Steve Miley
Interested in Dolphin Hospital volunteering - Here's What it takes
Every volunteer takes a training course {fee required} and then must complete five 4-hour watches under instruction to get qualified. It's 24/7 around the clock, normally with two data takers on the rim and as many in the tank as may be necessary. Shifts are normally 4 hours, but we don't spend 4 hours straight in the water except in emergencies, but rather the norm is to periodically rotate the duties around about every hour or so with the lookouts and data takers on the tank rim. And we don't get in the water at all unless absolutely necessary to keep the animals from drowning, and for an occasional vet exam. It demands a lot of manpower/womanpower to keep it going 24/7.
Donations sorely needed! Dr. Charlie Manire, DVM, advises "Both whales are on some very expensive drugs and, of course, they do not have insurance coverage!!! All donations would be greatly appreciated." He can be reached at
Charles A. Manire, DVM Phone 941.388.4441
Manager, Animal Care Program, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
We believe that concerned individuals working together can make a real difference. Bill Mote the founder of Mote Marine envisioned just such an outpouring of concern on the part of people who care about and love animals. Mr. Mote also founded the Snook Foundation as a non profit organization of volunteers like Charlie, to be involved with the remaining habitat and the future of snook.
Many are aware that healthy nursery and juvenile habitat that gives life to snook also gives life to redfish, tarpon, seatrout, and more than 250 species of fishes, invertebrates, blue crabs and pink shrimp. Though harder to measure their daily progress, these productive waters warrant as much careful attention as Pete and Dallas. We at the Snook Foundation appreciate your support and participation in Snook Foundation initiatives -- If you are not already, please become a member.
You can follow the whales' progress using these links: Daily Progress - PetDaily Progress - Dallas
6/16 Anglers in the area tried to help the swimming animal and contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). FWC biologists and Florida Marine Mammal Stranding Network members Denise Boyd and Dee Semeyn transported the whales to Mote for medical care. Whale has severe infections and may have parasites in the brain. Two previous cases of this species here have had parasites in the brain. Have started on antibiotics and fluids. 6/17 Although the whale's white count is going up, the animal seems stronger and is swimming occasionally. Continuing treatment. 6/18 Whale is stronger and is swimming for long periods of time on its own. 6/19 Slight improvement has been noted. Whale swam on its own most of yesterday. Continuing treatment. Whale is not showing interest in food and we have started tube-feeding it. 6/20 Whale swam continuously for the last 24 hours without help, but is slower than we would like to see. At noon, it was offered fish and squid and finally started eating. 6/21 Whale has eaten everything offered to it and is still swimming. Both whales are beginning to interact with toys (environmental enrichment devices - EEDs). 6/23 Whale is doing very well. Appetite is excellent and is swimming better. Planning to do a CT scan of the brain later in the week. 6/24 Exam this morning went very well. This whale has begun to gain a little weight and is swimming better in deeper water. 6/25 Blood tests yesterday indicated a rising white count (infection?) and the whale refused a couple of feeds in the evening. Appears to be developing pneumonia. Changed antibiotics and whale is eating much better this morning. 6/26 Continuing to improve but will have to wait on the CT scan. 6/27 Still evidence of pneumonia in one lung, but whale is doing better, eating and swimming well. 6/28 Swimming much stronger today. 6/30 Whale has been a little lethargic the last 24 hours, but is eating well. Lungs are better. 7/1 Not as lethargic today. Still eating well. 7/2 Slightly improved from yesterday and eating well. 7/3 Getting better each day. 7/4 Continued gradual improvement. 7/5 Appetite dropped off this morning. Appears to be some fluids in the lungs, possibly from rough play with Dallas. Started eating after treatment. 7/6 Appetite is much improved today. 7/7 Continuing to improve. Whale has gained significant weight in the last week. 7/8 Both animals are better today and are showing more social interactions. 7/9 Both continue to improve. 7/10 More improvement today. 7/11 We were able to get a CT scan last night thanks to Axcess Diagnostics of Sarasota and Dr. Steve Miley. Results revealed no brain lesions present, but lung lesions present as expected. Whale is doing very well today. 7/12 More of the same. 7/14 Late yesterday, experienced a loss of appetite. Did gastroscopy this morning and found no ulcers, but possible fungal gastritis. Have changed medication. 7/15 Whale is much better this morning. Has begun to eat again after being tubed earlier today. 7/11 We were able to get a CT scan last night thanks to Axcess Diagnostics of Sarasota and Dr. Steve Miley. Results revealed no brain lesions present, but lung lesions present as expected. Whale is doing very well today. 7/12 More of the same. 7/14 Late yesterday, experienced a loss of appetite. Did gastroscopy this morning and found no ulcers, but possible fungal gastritis. Have changed medication. 7/15 Whale is much better this morning. Has begun to eat again after being tubed earlier today. 7/16 White count has come down and appetite is much better today. 7/19 Continuing to do well. 7/21 Both whales are having digestive issues today, probably related to the diet. We are changing the diet to try to help. 7/23 Whale is doing some better. Is now eating a little better, but not yet fully back. 7/24 Eating much better and much more active. 7/25 Continuing to improve and white count is coming down. 7/26 Improved appetite and activity. 7/27 Continued improvement. 7/29 Continuing to improve. 7/30 More improvement.....
