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BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center releases satellite-tagged harbor porpoise

The University of New England Marine Animal Rehabilitation Center (MARC) released a rehabilitated female harbor porpoise about two miles off the southern Maine Coast on June 30, 2010. 

The porpoise (known as MARC 10-012 Pp) was brought to MARC Feb. 26, 2010 by the Maine Department of Marine Resources after it was found stranded on Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, Maine.

The initial assessment of the porpoise in February revealed a thin body condition, corneal abrasions, superficial skin lesions, dehydration and hepatitis of unknown etiology.

Initial rehabilitation included fluid replacement therapy, antibiotic therapy, milk thistle, and topical antibiotic eye treatments.  In addition, prophylactic therapy for gastritis was also performed.

During the early stages of her rehabilitation, the porpoise also received physical therapy from members of the UNE swim team who followed a rehabilitation plan designed by UNE students in the doctor of physical therapy program.

The porpoise also received two CT scans to help diagnose and further monitor her health.

At the time of her release she had recovered from all major medical conditions and was free of known infectious disease agents. She weighed about 64 pounds, 14 pounds more than when she was admitted to MARC.

Before her release, the porpoise was fitted with a satellite tag that will allow staff at MARC and fellow researchers to track the porpoise's position, time and depth of dives as well as the temperature of the water where she spends most of her time.

The satellite tagging is a collaborative project between The Riverhead Foundation and MARC. The porpoise's tracking will be posted on WhaleNet .

The release of MARC 10-012 Pp was the third porpoise release by UNE in the past nine years. The last porpoise released from MARC was in 2005.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.