Marine Animal Rescue Agencies Get Big Assist from Voluntourists

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Play with one of Florida's most beloved mammals at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

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Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota houses sealife from turtles to manatees.

Photo Credit: Dave Hausmann

Animals don't strand themselves every day, but visitors who come to volunteer will always find something to do – and a rewarding travel experience.

Rescuing marine animals requires professionals, but volunteers flock to the Marine Mammal Conservancy in Key Largo to help rescue stranded pilot whales and other marine life.

"I've had over 5,000 people come through here to participate, many of them from around the world," said Robert Lingenfelser, president. "We had Israelis, Chinese and Japanese. We've had people from England and Scotland. We just had some from France. It's a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with an animal from the ocean that's hopefully going back to the ocean."

"It's a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with an animal from the ocean that's hopefully going back to the ocean." – Robert Lingenfelser, Marine Mammal Conservancy

Volunteers receive a basic course on how to hold a whale properly and assist in rescue and rehabilitation. They also may get an opportunity to participate in a necropsy, or animal autopsy.

"The things they do are invaluable to us," said Lingenfelser, who in his 25 years with the MMC has helped rescue 450 marine animals of 18 different species.

Animals don't strand themselves every day, but tourists who come to volunteer will always find something to do.

"We're constantly doing maintenance," Lingenfelser said. "We have a lot of equipment that has to be mobile-ready."

Other Florida organizations that rescue marine animals also seek volunteer help.

Volunteers at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa log tens of thousands of hours every year, and those who acquire special training get to work with the animals.

The Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota has a list of 1,300 volunteers who help out in various ways, including animal care.

Volunteer information

Tourists who have flexible schedules can watch the MMC web site to find out when a marine animal needs rescue. Sign up at www.marinemammalconservancy.org and you'll receive updates.

Contact Mote Marine Laboratory by e-mailing volunteerinfo@mote.org or visiting the website at www.mote.org.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Stranding Network in the Florida Keys should contact Stranding Network stations directly:

• Dolphin Research Center, Middle Keys, 305-289-1121
• Florida Keys Marine Mammal Rescue Team, Lower Keys, 305-745-8785
• Marine Animal Rescue Society, Upper and Middle Keys, 305-919-5503
• Dolphins Plus (Marine Mammal Rescue Foundation), Upper Keys, 305-451-1993

In an effort to encourage volunteers at the Marine Mammal Conservancy, several Key Largo hotels are offering reduced-rate accommodations. Anyone who completes a four-hour volunteer shift will receive a voucher good for up to five days, Sunday night through Thursday night. Volunteer duties may range from answering telephones to getting into the water to support the whales. Volunteers who work with the animals must be at least 18; although. younger volunteers are welcome to perform land-based duties.

For a list of accommodations and details, visit www.fla-keys.com/volunteer, or call 305-451-4744.

Tom Valeo is a freelance writer based in St. Petersburg.