Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Necropsies

The necropsy (animal autopsy) is performed on deceased dolphins recovered along the Texas Coast.

Participants will learn marine mammal biology and physiology from a hands-on perspective by identifying external anatomy, assessing external injuries/markings (scars, boat injuries, etc.), and reviewing internal anatomy.

Please call in advance to schedule a necropsy and to verify specimen availability.

Fee: $150.00-$300.00 per animal. Fee varies based on specimen availability, size, and location.

Museum Exhibit

The educational interactive “A Whale of a Museum”, explores the world of marine mammals looking at their capabilities and needs as well as the problems they face. 

Through our own collection of marine mammal skulls and skeletons,  visitors will learn about some of the marine mammals found in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Informative text, photographs, and stranding information along the Texas coast accompanies each artifact on display.  This informational exhibit allows visitors to make comparisons between some of the marine mammals found in the Gulf of Mexico.

Educational hand-outs are also available to take home or to complete at the exhibit.  Children can see human and dolphin similarities with our “x-ray boxes” of the human arm and dolphin flipper.

Currently this exhibit is on display at Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX.

 For more information on how you can bring this exhibit to your location contact tmmsn@tamug.edu or (409)740-4455.

Bone Loan

Because marine mammals are a protected species, it is illegal for any individual or organization without a letter of authorization to own any part of one(bones, etc.).

However, under our NMFS Letter of Authorization, materials derived from stranded marine mammals (bones) may be loaned to institutions for educational purposes. We have skulls, jaws, baleen, vertebrae, ribs, and more.

We do have a limited supply of bones on loan, so contact us for more details. Materials collected from strandings are also distributed for research purposes, and the TMMSN has assisted numerous researchers examining aspects of marine mammal anatomy, epidemiology, toxicology, reproduction, feeding habits, physiology, genetics, age structure, and distribution.

Whales On Wheels

Presentations and Lectures

Our presentations will inform you about marine mammal biology, conservation and the important role of the TMMSN.  Designed to educate all ages, our lectures can be given at your school, or you can come to us.  We can adjust our lectures to fit your needs. 

Marine Mammals and Mock Stranding Grades K-6

This lecture reviews basic marine mammal biology and the important role the TMMSN plays in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing live stranded animals. Also, depending on the audience, students play along with a mock live stranding procedure. All students are welcome to get involved with our “hands-on” bone display including skulls, baleen, teeth, vertebrae, and much more.

In this hour-long presentation, students will learn about:
-Characteristics of mammals
-What makes a marine mammal "marine"
-Marine mammals that live in the Gulf of Mexico
-How to help conserve marine mammals
-How to rescue a stranded dolphin or whale on the beach

They'll also get to:
-Touch real marine mammal bones and artifacts
-Participate in a mock stranding demonstration
-Hear about all of the dolphins and whales we have saved and much more!

Your class can also help with a fund-raiser, call for details on our “Dollars for Dolphins” campaign.

The TMMSN (Grades 7 - Adult)

Discover the TMMSN and how we respond to all marine mammal strandings along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Learn about our mission, understand how education plays an important role in increasing stranding awareness and how we respond to and care for live stranded animals. Learn valuable techniques used to rescue a live stranded animal and what you may encounter if a marine mammal strands near you! 

If you are interested in scheduling a presentation or would like to find out more about our programs, please fill out the form below and return it or e-mail the information.  If you have any further questions, please contact our Education Coordinator at (409) 740-4455 or by email at tmmsn@tamug.edu 

The goal of the Education Program is to raise public awareness. We accomplish this task through formal and informal venues. Informal venues include booths and exhibits at school, aquatic, nature, and environmental fairs and expos. Formal venues include presentations at schools, teacher workshops, and club meetings.

The beginning of 2007 has proven to be a very busy time for the education program.  This session would not have been so successful without the help of our volunteers!

We began the year with an interactive booth at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Discovery Day on January 20, 2007, in Galveston, TX.  The event was held to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of NOAA and the 15th Anniversary of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.  Among the live music, tours, and exhibits, the day incorporated an interactive "passport" activity that consisted of attendees obtaining a passport stamp at each exhibit and being awarded a prize for visiting all displays. 

Our booth included TMMSN informational displays, the traveling bone collection, and mock strandings.  We implemented new children's activities, which have become a big hit at other events as well!  With free face painting, marine mammal activity sheets, and stickers for the kids, the day turned out to be fun and successful in promoting our mission.

Click here to read more about TMMSN Education for 2007.