The Marine Mammal Center

Since Dr. Vitor is unable to meet in the afternoon we will have a special presentation at our evening meeting. This highly accomplished veterinarian will only be at the Center from June through August to learn advanced skills that will enhance his research and veterinary care of marine mammals when he returns to Brazil. He and Mary Ann also want to thank our club for contributing $500 towards this endeavor under Past President Ricky's term.

The Marine Mammal Center is the largest marine mammal hospital in the world in terms of the number of patients it treats and the number of visiting professionals it trains. The Center frequently receives requests for technical help and training in wild marine mammal rescue and care. Our highly competitive International Veterinary-in-Residence Program annually brings up to three veterinarians from countries with developing marine science and conservation programs to our Center for a three-month period of time through The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) Teaching Hospital.

This training program provides them with a range of training in rescue techniques, clinical veterinary care, animal husbandry, pathology, and research. In addition, the Center provides subsequent in-country training and assistance as resources allow. Some of the countries most in need of the technical assistance and training are located along nine critical marine conservation areas, which serve as crucial habitat for the vast majority of marine mammal species, from sea otters to blue whales. Focusing our training efforts in these areas helps advance future global strategies for marine mammal conservation.
 

The Marine Mammal Center has thus far hosted veterinarians from Chile, Colombia, Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, South Korea and Brazil. Veterinarians who complete the IVIR program are then prepared to rescue stranded marine mammals, care for them during the rehabilitation process and provide training to staff and volunteers in their home countries.