Form 89-878 Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Disposition Report

MARINE MAMMAL REHABILITATION DISPOSITION REPORT
FIELD #: __________________________ NMFS REGIONAL #______________NATIONAL DATABASE#: _________________________________
(NMFS USE)
(NMFS USE)
COMMON NAME: _______________________________ GENUS: _________________________ SPECIES: _______________________________
REHABILITATION FACILTY: ________________________________________ Affiliation: ______________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________ Phone:___________________________________________________

STRANDING/BIRTH HISTORY
□ Restrand
Date: Year: _____ Month:______ Day: ______
Location: State: _______ County: __________ City: ___________
Sex:
□ 1. Male
□ 2. Female
Was this animal born in rehab?
□ 1. NO □ 2. YES; Female’s ID #: ________________________

ADMISSION INTO REHABILITATION
Date: Year: ________ Month:_________ Day: _________
Received From: _________________________________
Straight Length:___________ □ cm □ in □ actual □ estimate
Weight:_________________ □ kg □ lb □ actual □ estimate

MEDICAL RECORD

SPECIMEN TRACKING

Pre-Release Health Screen Date:
Year:______ Month:______ Day:______

Samples Collected:
□ 1. YES □ 2. NO
□ 1. Scientific collection
□ 2. Education collection
□ 3. Other: _________________________________________________

Last Day of Antibiotics: Year:______ Month:______ Day:______
MORPHOLOGICAL DATA AT DISPOSITION
Animal Morphological Data at Time of Disposition:
Straight Length:_____________ □ cm □ in □ actual □ estimate
Weight:___________________ □ kg □ lb □ actual □ estimate

Age Class at Time of Disposition:
□ 1. Adult
□ 3.Yearling
□ 2. Subadult
□ 4. Pup/Calf

FINAL DISPOSITION
□ Releasable
□ Non-releasable

□ 6. Released

□ Not Applicable

□ 1. Transferred to Another Rehabilitation Facility
Year: __________ Month:_______ Day: ________
Facility:_______________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________
Comments:____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
□ 2. Temporarily Transferred to Research Facility
Year: __________ Month:_______ Day: ________
Facility:_______________________________________________
Comments:____________________________________________
NMFS Permit #: ________________________________________
□ 3. Permanently Transferred for Research/Enhancement
Year: __________ Month:_______ Day: ________
Facility:______________________________________________
Comments:___________________________________________
NMFS Permit#: ______________NOAA ID #: ________________
□ 4. Permanently Transferred for Public Display
Year: __________ Month:_______ Day: ________
Facility:______________________________________________
Comments:___________________________________________
NOAA ID #: __________________________________________
□ 5. Died
□ Euthanized
Year: ________ Month:_______ Day: ________
Location:_____________________________________________
Cause of Death: ______________________________________
Comments:___________________________________________
NECROPSIED □ NO □ YES
□ Limited □ Complete
□ Carcass Fresh □ Carcass Frozen/Thawed

□ 5. Unknown

Year: ________ Month:_______ Day: ________
State: ______ County:__________ City:__________________________
Locality Details:_____________________________________________
Latitude (DD):_____________________________________________ N
Longitude(DD):____________________________________________W
Released: □ Singly
□ With Other Rehabilitated Animals
TAG DATA
Tags Were:
Present at time of stranding (Pre-existing):
Applied during Stranding Response:
Applied During Rehabilitation:
ID#

Color

Type

Placement*
(Circle ONE)
D DF L
_________________________ LF LR RF RR
D DF L
_________________________ LF LR RF RR
D DF L
_________________________ LF LR RF RR

□ YES
□ YES
□ YES
Applied

□ NO
□ NO
□ NO
Present

□

□

□

□

□

□

* D= Dorsal; DF= Dorsal Fin; L= Lateral Body
LF= Left Front; LR= Left Rear; RF= Right Front; RR= Right Rear

Post Release Biomonitoring

□ YES

□ NO

Data Disposition:
_______________________________________________

NECROPSIED BY: _______________________ Date _____________

NOAA Form 89-878; OMB No. 0648-0178; Expiration Date: 01/31/2014

PLEASE USE THE BACK SIDE OF THIS FORM FOR ADDITIONAL REMARKS

ADDITIONAL REMARKS
ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIER:
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DISCLAIMER
THESE DATA SHOULD NOT BE USED OUT OF CONTEXT OR WITHOUT VERIFICATION. THIS SHOULD BE STRICTLY ENFORCED WHEN
REPORTING SIGNS OF HUMAN INTERACTION DATA.
DATA ACCESS FOR MARINE MAMMAL REHABILITATION DISPOSITION DATA
UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, CERTAIN FIELDS OF THE MARINE MAMMAL REAHBILITATION DISPOSITION DATA SHEET WILL BE RELEASED TO THE REQUESTOR PROVIDED THAT THE REQUESTOR CREDIT THE STRANDING NETWORK AND THE NATIONAL MARINE
FISHERIES SERVICE. THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE WILL NOTIFY THE CONTRIBUTING STRANDING NETWORK MEMBERS THAT THESE DATA HAVE BEEN REQUESTED AND THE INTENT OF USE. ALL OTHER DATA WILL BE RELEASED TO THE REQUESTOR PROVIDED THAT THE REQUESTOR OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM THE CONTRIBUTING STRANDING NETWORK AND THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT INFORMATION

PUBLIC REPORTING BURDEN FOR THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION IS ESTIMATED TO AVERAGE 30 MINUTES PER RESPONSE,
INCLUDING THE TIME FOR REVIEWING INSTRUCTIONS, SEARCHING EXISTING DATA SOURCES, GATHERING AND MAINTAINING THE
DATA NEEDED, AND COMPLETING AND REVIEWING THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION. SEND COMMENTS REGARDING THIS BURDEN ESTIMATE OR ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE COLLECTION INFORMATION, INCLUDING SUGGESTIONS FOR REDUCING THE BURDEN TO: CHIEF, MARINE MAMMAL AND SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION DIVISION, OFFICE OF PROTECTED RESOURCES, NOAA FISHERIES, 1315 EAST-WEST HIGHWAY, SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND 20910. NOT WITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THE LAW, NO
PERSON IS REQUIRED TO RESPOND, NOR SHALL ANY PERSON BE SUBJECTED TO A PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH, A
COLLECTION OF INFORMATION SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT, UNLESS THE COLLECTION
OF INFORMATION DISPLAYS A CURRENTLY VALID OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET (OMB) CONTROL NUMBER.

NOAA Form 89-878; OMB No.0648-0178; Expiration Date: 01/31/2014

MARINE MAMMAL REHABILITATION DISPOSITION
REPORT – VERSION 2007
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Field #: This should be the same original field number used on the Level A form. If
additional identifiers were given during rehab, they should be listed on the back under
“ADDITIONAL REMARKS” section of the form. Assign each stranding event a unique
identifier. Format is open to each agency’s requirements; however, please remain
consistent within your agency.
NMFS Regional #: Leave this blank. NMFS will assign a regional number consistent
with the National Marine Mammal Stranding Database.
National Database #: Leave this blank. NMFS will assign a national database number
consistent with the National Marine Mammal Stranding Database.
Common Name: The common name of the stranded animal. If identity is not
determined to species, describe the level to which the remains can be identified.
(Example: unknown, pinniped/cetacean, otariid/phocid, or odontocete/mysticete,
delphinid/phocoenid, etc.)
Genus/Species: This is the Latin name for the animal in standard binomial
nomenclature. If either genus or species is not identifiable, fill in the appropriate blank
with “UNKNOWN.”
Rehabilitation Facility: Name of the rehabilitation facility where the animal has been
admitted for treatment and rehabilitation. A separate Marine Mammal Rehabilitation
Disposition sheet will be filled out each facility involved with the case including the
primary or any secondary facilities.
Affiliation: Affiliation of the rehabilitation facility who is submitting the report. This
could be through a Stranding Agreement or as a Designee organization (designee of a
Stranding Agreement holder), or an agency of a federal, state, or local government
authorized under MMPA Section 109(h).
Address: Mailing address of the Rehabilitation Facility.
Phone: Daytime (Work) phone number where a primary contact for the Rehabilitation
Facility may be reached for further comment. NOTE: Please include only business
addresses and phone numbers, to prevent the release of personal information to the
public.

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STRANDING/BIRTH HISTORY
Restrand - Check this box if the animal has previously stranded, either with your
organization or another. The animal may have tags from a rehabilitation facility, or may
have recognizable and distinctive features. If this box is checked, you MUST indicate the
previous numbers assigned to this animal (by your facility or others) on the back of the
form in the space marked “Additional Identifiers.”
Date: Enter the date upon which the animal stranded. Use date entered under “Initial
Observation” on the Level A form.
Location: The standard state, county, and city names for the stranding location (use the
data entered under “Location of Initial Observation” on the Level A form). This should
include boroughs, parishes, provinces, islands, commonwealths, and territories.
Sex (Check One): Check the box indicating the sex of the animal.
Was the animal born in rehab? - Check “YES” if this was animal born while the
female (i.e., dam, mother) was in rehabilitation, check “NO” if it was not.
Female’s ID #: If check yes above, then enter the female’s (i.e.; dam, mother) field
identification number from the Level A form.

ADMISSION INTO REHABILITAITON
Date: Enter the date when the animal was admitted into your rehabilitation facility.
This date could pertain to when a secondary rehabilitation facility received an animal
from the original or primary facility.
Received From: Record from where the animal was obtained, and this could include
directly from the stranding site, triage site or another rehabilitation facility.
Straight Length: Record the straight length (not contoured) of the animal on or around
the date of admission into rehabilitation. Please check if this was an actual or estimated
measurement.
ƒ cm = centimeters (preferred)
ƒ in = inches
o actual = Check if this was an actual measurement (physical measurement)
o estimated = Check if this was an estimated measurement (visual
measurement).
Weight: Weight - Record the weight of the animal on or around the date of admission
into rehabilitation. Please check if this was an actual or estimated measurement.
ƒ kg = kilograms (preferred)
ƒ lb = pounds
o actual = Check if this was an actual measurement (physical measurement)

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o estimated = Check if this was an estimated measurement (visual
measurement).
MEDICAL RECORD
Pre-Release Health Screen Date: 2007 U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service/U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service The Best Practices Marine Mammal Stranding Response,
Rehabilitation, and Release – Standards for Release require that a pre-release health
screen be completed on all marine mammals prior to release back into the wild. Indicate
the date that this was completed.
Last Day of Antibiotics: Record the date of the last dose of antibiotics administered to
the animal in rehabilitation.
SPECIMEN TRACKING
Samples Collected (Check all that apply) – Check the following boxes to indicate if
nondiagnostic specimens were collected for scientific, educational, or other purposes
(i.e., skin for genetics, blubber for contaminants, bones for collection, etc.). The
disposition (both transitory and final) of these specimens should be recorded on the back
of the form under “ADDITIONAL REMARKS.” Please check with your NMFS regional
stranding coordinator regarding marine mammal parts authorizations prior to retention
and transfer.
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Scientific collection - check this box if specimens from the live animal or carcass,
including skeletal parts, were retained for scientific research.
Educational collection - check this box if specimens from the live animal or
carcass, including skeletal parts, were retained for educational purposes.
Other - check this box if the fate of specimens from the live animal or carcass,
including skeletal parts, was other than that above and briefly indicate the
disposition. This could include samples for diagnostics.

Diagnostic Samples (Optional). List the specific samples or specimens that were taken,
the diagnostic test or reason for sampling, and the disposition or location of the sample,
on the back of the form under “ADDITIONAL REMARKS” or on an attached form or
page (say “Form attached”).
MORPHOLOGICAL DATA DISPOSITION
Animal Morphological Data at Time of Disposition: Record these data below on or
near the date of “Final Disposition.”
Straight Length: Record the straight length (not contoured) of the animal on or around
the date of final disposition. See choices below in the “Final Disposition” section.
Please check if this was an actual or estimated measurement.
ƒ cm = centimeters (preferred)

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in = inches
o actual = Check if this was an actual measurement (physical measurement)
o estimated = Check if this was an estimated measurement (visual
measurement).
Weight: Weight - Record the weight of the animal on or around the date of final
disposition. See choices below in the “Final Disposition” section. Please check if this
was an actual or estimated measurement.
ƒ kg = kilograms (preferred)
ƒ lb = pounds
o actual = Check if this was an actual measurement (physical measurement)
o estimated = Check if this was an estimated measurement (visual
measurement).
AGE CLASS (check One): Check the box indicating the animal’s age class at the time
of “Final Disposition.” If possible, use information based on reproductive organs, teeth
or accepted length/age data:
ƒ Adult: This age class would be used for an animal that is judged or found upon
necropsy to be sexually mature.
ƒ Subadult: This age class would be used for a animal that is judged to be greater
than one year old, but not yet mature.
ƒ Yearling: This age class would be used for an animal that is judged to be
approximately one year old, using length or time of year.
ƒ Pup/Calf: This age class would be used for a stranded animal that is smaller than
yearling size, or in a population where it would be younger than one year old.
ƒ Unknown: This age class would be used for an animal if you are unable to
determine its age.

FINAL DISPOSITION
Check the box which best represents the final release determination based on the
2007 U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The Best
Practices Marine Mammal Stranding Response, Rehabilitation, and Release – Standards
for Release.
ƒ Releasable – check this box if the animal was deemed releasable by NMFS
(either conditional or unconditional).
ƒ Nonreleasable – check this box if the animal was deemed non releasable by
NMFS.
ƒ Not Applicable – check this box if the animal died or was euthanized in
rehabilitation or was transferred to another rehab facility before a final
determination was made.
Transferred to Another Rehabilitation Facility - Check this box if the animal was
transferred to another rehabilitation facility, while still in rehabilitation status, during its
rehabilitation.
ƒ Date - Enter the date that the animal was transferred to another rehabilitation

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facility (year, month, and day).
Facility - Enter the name of the rehabilitation facility that received the transferred
animal.
Address - Enter the address of the rehabilitation facility that received the
transferred animal.
Comments – Enter additional comments regarding the transfer of the animal. If
necessary to continue reporting, use the back of this form in ADDITIONAL
REMARKS section.

Temporarily Transferred to Research Facility
ƒ Date - Enter the date that the animal was temporarily transferred to an authorized
Research Facility (year, month, and day).
ƒ Facility - Enter the name of the research facility that received the transferred
animal.
ƒ Comments – Enter additional comments regarding the transfer of the animal. If
necessary to continue reporting, use the back of this form in ADDITIONAL
REMARKS section.
ƒ NMFS Permit # - Enter in the NMFS Permit # assigned to the Research Facility
that authorizes them to work with marine mammals in rehabilitation.
Permanently Transferred for Research/Enhancement
ƒ Date - Enter the date that the animal was permanently transferred to an authorized
Research Facility (year, month, and day).
ƒ Facility - Enter the name of the research facility that received the transferred
animal.
ƒ Comments – Enter additional comments regarding the transfer of the animal. If
necessary to continue reporting, use the back of this form in ADDITIONAL
REMARKS section.
ƒ NMFS Permit # - Enter in the NMFS Permit # assigned to the Research Facility
that authorizes them to work with marine mammals in rehabilitation.
ƒ NOAA ID # - Leave this blank. NMFS will assign an official identification
number for animals in permanent captivity in the Marine Mammal Inventory.
Permanently Transferred for Public Display
ƒ Date - Enter the date that the animal was permanently transferred to an authorized
Public Display Facility (year, month, and day).
ƒ Facility - Enter the name of the public display facility that received the
transferred animal.
ƒ Comments – Enter and additional comments regarding the transfer of the animal.
If necessary to continue reporting, use the back of this form in ADDITIONAL
REMARKS section.
ƒ NOAA ID # - Leave this blank. NMFS will assign an official identification
number for animals in permanent captivity in the Marine Mammal Inventory.

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Died
ƒ Euthanized – check this box if the animal was euthanized while at the
rehabilitation facility or during transport.
ƒ Date – Enter the date of death (year, month, and day)
ƒ Location – Enter the location of death (rehabilitation facility, temporary research
facility, transport, etc)
ƒ Cause of Death – If known, enter in the cause of death.
ƒ Comments – Enter additional comments regarding the cause of death of the
animal. If necessary to continue reporting, use the back of this form in
ADDITIONAL REMARKS section. If applicable, please remember to fill out the
section entitled “Specimen tracking.”
NECROPSIED - Indicate “YES” if a necropsy was completed to obtain Level-C data.
ƒ Limited Necropsy - A partial necropsy includes a detailed exam of the carcass in
which some of the organs or systems are examined, collected, and analyzed
according to established protocols, but either the condition of the animal or other
factors limits a complete necropsy. Please indicate in the ADDITIONAL
REMARKS section the systems examined and not examination as well as
examination findings.
ƒ Complete necropsy - A complete necropsy consists of a detailed exam
where the majority of organs are examined, collected (i.e., if feasible, this could
include tissues for histopathology) and analyzed according to established
protocols. This will include documenting any internal lesions, bruising, or
broken/fractured bones, and
examining the entire GI tract for lesions, foreign material, gear, and other natural
contents (e.g. food), and the lungs/bronchi. A necropsy report is generated and
disseminated to the pathologist on record.
ƒ Carcass Fresh = Check if the necropsy was conducted on a fresh carcass (not
frozen before examination).
ƒ Carcass Frozen/Thawed = Check if the necropsy was conducted on a carcass
that was frozen and thawed.
NECROSPIED BY - List the name and contact information of the primary
person/facility who conducted the necropsy.
Date – List the date when the necropsy was done.
Released
Date – Enter in the date (Year, month, and day) when the animal was released.
State, County, and City - Enter in the state, county (if applicable), and city (if
applicable) names for the location of release. For offshore releases (U.S. waters between
3 and 200 miles offshore), fill State with “EEZ” and closest state. This should include
boroughs, parishes, provinces, islands, commonwealths, and territories.
Locality Details: Using known landmarks (access point, mile markers, street addresses

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etc), describe the precise locality where the animal was released. Compass bearings and
relative distances are useful but GPS coordinates are preferred. For animals released
offshore, this should include the referencing the associated ocean, sea, or gulf.
GPS Coordinates of Release: Documentation in decimal degrees is required. NOTE:
Negative longitude represents the Western Hemisphere, positive longitude represents the
Eastern Hemisphere, negative latitude represents the Southern Hemisphere, and positive
latitude represents the Northern Hemisphere. Note that most GPS units can be set to
display latitude and longitude in the decimal degree format and there are many lat/long
conversion websites on the internet.
Released – check the box if the animal was released “singly” or concurrently “with
other rehabilitated animals.”

TAG DATA
Present at Time of Stranding (Pre-exisiting) - Mark “YES” if tags or identification
markings were pre-existing (present on the animal at the time of stranding).
Applied During Stranding Response - Mark “YES” if tags or identification markings
were applied by the stranding response organization (i.e. prior to release at stranding or
relocation site, to prevent a carcass from being double-counted, etc.).
Applied During Rehabilitation - Mark “YES” if tags or identification markings were
applied by the rehabilitation facility.
NOTE: If no tags were present or applied, the responder should check “NO” for all three
boxes and skip the rest of the section.
Document details about the type, color, and placement of identification tags, brands,
or markings:
ID# - Write the number(s) of the identifying tag(s), brand(s), or other applied marking(s),
if applicable.
Color - Using basic color-names, indicate the identifying color of tags where applicable.
Type - List the type of tag, brand, or other applied marking. For example, radio, PIT,
plastic, roto, spaghetti, satellite, freeze brand, bleach mark, paint, etc.
Placement - Circle (ONE) the location of each applied/present marking:
D = dorsal body
DF = dorsal fin
L = lateral body
LF = left front flipper/appendage
LR = left rear flipper/appendage
RF = right front flipper/appendage
RR = right rear flipper/appendage
Applied = Check “Applied” for each of the tags, brands, or other makings that were

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applied after the animal stranded, as part of the stranding or rescue response. If the
animal was rehabilitated and released with tags or markings, you may update this part of
the Level A form after they are applied.
Present = Check “Present” for each of the tags, brands, or other markings that were
already present when the animal stranded.
Post Release Biomonitoring - Please indicate if an active post release biomonitoring
effort was undertaken (i.e., remote telemetry using VHF and/or satellite).
Data Disposition: If post release biomonitoring occurred, then enter where these data are
housed.

BACK OF FORM
ADDITIONAL IDENTIFIERS: Include any additional information related to the Field
ID number or identification of the stranding event. Examples include: previous Field ID
numbers if this animal previously stranded; ID numbers assigned by other organizations
(including authorized rehabilitation facilities to which the animal is transferred), former
identification numbers from scientific research projects, etc.
ADDITIONAL REMARKS: Include comments, and list other data sheets that may have
been completed such as morphometrics, necropsy, rehabilitation disposition, specimen
tracking, etc. Include further details or comments on any of the data fields from the front
of the sheet.

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