Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration

The Health and Risk Assessment (HERA) of Bottlenose Dolphin Populations project is a comprehensive study incorporating a variety of disciplines that focus on the health of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus ). Led by Drs. Greg Bossart (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute) and Patricia Fair (NOAA/National Ocean Service/Coastal Environmental Health & Biomolecular Research) this investigation is a major collaborative effort and involves a number of individuals and institutions, including Mystic Aquarium.

The project focuses on the health of bottlenose dolphins in the wild and involves the collection and analysis of various health measurements. The study includes bottlenose dolphin populations in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), FL and Charleston Harbor (CHS ), South Carolina , two different environments undergoing different challenges and pressures. Resident populations in these two regions are exposed to various contaminants and environmental stressors that may potentially lead to suppressed immune systems and an increased risk of illness and disease. Therefore, immune function is being evaluated as part of an overall health assessment. Blood samples are sent to Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration for immune function analysis. Understanding the anthropogenic effects of immunotoxicants and other stressors on the cetacean immune system may be relevant not only to management and conservation of these animals and their environment but also has implications for human health.