Marine mammal

They're like nature's early warning system.

Then there are marine mammals: whales, seals, dolphins.

These animals often live long lives.

Some occupy the top of the marine food webs.

Amazing.

Okay.

Our next question comes from Cassie, who is wondering if we could talk about how researchers determine the age of marine mammals while they're alive, and then also how they can determine their age after they have passed.

Cassie said she's a new listener, so she's not sure if this has been covered previously.

I think we've talked a bit about this, but we haven't talked about it in a super...

So those first two can also be used.

And then there is growth layer groups in their teeth.

So toothed marine mammals, including dolphins, killer whales, and also seals, sea lions, we can basically look at their teeth and cut it into sections.

Um, so we look for initiatives with clear ecological benefits, and, and right now we support two programs.

One of them is the Important Marine Mammal Area.

It's a UN program, uh, that is, uh, supports the habitat restoration of marine mammals, specifically whales as well, uh, in the North Atlantic.

Uh, we also have the Venice Lagoon program as well that restores, uh, the, the lagoon in, in the area.

Uh, so for us, regeneration goes beyond reducing harm, uh, but it also goes into, uh, giving back to the ocean that ultimately the industry relies on.

So we met Hella years ago when we were all on our journey learning animal communication at the Danielle McKinnon School.

Our guest today is Hella Martens, and we are so excited to talk to her about her experience as a, what's the title, Hella, Marine Mammal Educator?

Yeah, I'm a marine mammal naturalist, biologist.

I guess I didn't study marine biology, but I never called myself a marine biologist,

A marine biologist tagged the dolphin to monitor its movements after being released.

FWC... said their Marine Mammal team from Charlotte County was also on the scene.

For the bad, we go to Des Moines, Iowa.

I've never been to Iowa.