Navy Marine Mammal Program Foundation Dr. Cynthia Smith, DVM

Navy Marine Mammal Program

SeaLab II, 1965

http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/SSC

PACIFIC

Home base at SSC PACIFIC on Point Loma in San Diego

Program trains teams of dolphins, sea lions, human companions to perform mission critical tasks

Protect ships and ports from swimmer attack

Locate and recover valuable equipment

Alert our forces to undersea mines

Animals receive highest level of care

Navy Marine Mammal Program

SSCPACIFIC

• Planning for the day technology replaces need for animal participation

• Navy marine mammals a unique national asset

• Navy Marine Mammal Program has been largest contributor to marine mammal literature

• Benefits to scientific community and marine mammals world wide

• Current need for a national marine mammal research center (NRC, MMC)

Navy Marine Mammal Program

SSCPACIFIC

Navy Marine Mammal Program Foundation

501C(3) nonprofit organization created to transition program into the future

Mission:

To enhance the lives of marine mammals and humans through scientific exploration and human-animal collaboration; and to inspire creative thinking and a commitment to ocean conservation in future generations

Navy Marine Mammal Program Foundation: Today

Provide medical, research, & management support

Working to raise capital and develop strategic partnerships to support the mission

Conducting site surveys to determine best home for visitor’s center, museum, research laboratories

Navy Marine Mammal Program Foundation: TomorrowContinue human-animal collaboration to support DoD,

while identifying new areas of need

Develop a national marine mammal research center

Create a visitor’s center to facilitate educational outreach

Navy Marine Mammal Program Foundation

Please contact to discuss interests and potential opportunities

Dr. Sam Ridgway, President

[email protected]

Dr. Cynthia Smith, Director of Medicine

[email protected]

Dr. Stephanie Venn-Watson, Director of Research

[email protected]

Erika Putman, Director of Education

[email protected]