TRIDENT (click name for field notes)
Trident was a small, sub-adult male found by himself in Vero Beach during the winter of 2000. At the time he was first observed he appeared lifeless. He was found to be suffering from severe cold stress. His name comes from his trident shaped fluke or tail which was damaged by the severe cold. He was originally brought to Sea World of Florida for treatment and later transferred to the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. He recently got some more frequent flier miles when he flew back down to Sea World of Florida with Brooks to be released.
The
following are pictures of Trident’s release:
Before being
released, Trident was fitted with a belt around his tail and a satellite tag by
James Powell, a scientist with Wildlife Trust.
Once the
stretcher reaches the water, the front is lowered so Trident can swim out.
Biologists hold the tag up so that it doesn’t get tangled in the stretcher
during the release.
The stretcher is lowered and Trident swims out.
Trident
swims away to freedom!
