Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Rescue

The Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program (LMMSTRP), coordinated by Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, is the primary responder for the state of Louisiana for rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing marine mammals (dolphins, whales and manatees) and sea turtles.

LMMSTRP works with state and federal organizations such as NOAA, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Coast Guard to respond to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, to collect data about existing populations of marine animals along the Louisiana coast and waterways, and to assist and support researchers in the conservation of marine species.

To promote the conservation of our oceans' wildlife, LMMSTRP uses aerial surveys of waterways, lakes, and the coast, beach walks, necropsies, data collection, response to live strandings and rehabilitation of live animals. The goal is to locate and treat the animals, and prepare them for a successful release back into their natural environment.

When the Deepwater Horizon spill occurred in 2010, Audubon and LMMSTRP collaborated with NOAA, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Coast Guard to respond to stranded and injured marine wildlife. More than 200 sea turtles and two dolphins were brought to Audubon Aquatic Center for critical care by Audubon’s Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program. The LMMSTRP team's extraordinary efforts enabled the safe return of 172 sea turtles to the Gulf of Mexico, but 30 turtles spent the winter with LMMSTRP as they continued to heal. They were released on May 27, 2011. The following month the last dolphin, affectionately named Roux Brees, was transported to a permanent home at Gulf World in Panama City, Florida.