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Marine Mammal Health


The Marine Mammal Health program aims to improve the detection, treatment and prevention of diseases in U.S. Navy marine mammals to ensure the ongoing health and overall longevity of the animals.

The U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program began in the 1960s when a variety of species were tested for operational use before eventually settling on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).


Research Concentration Areas

  • Prevention, detection and treatment of infectious diseases
  • Prevention, detection and treatment of non-infectious diseases
  • Medical management of dolphins and sea lions
  • Clinical and quality of life needs of aging dolphins and sea lions

Research Challenges and Opportunities

  • Non-invasive means for assessment of general health and welfare in dolphins and sea lions
  • Early detection of marine mammal infectious agents and assessment of their impact on individual animal pathology and population health
  • Body fluid (blood, urine) biomarkers for assessing kidney health in marine mammals
  • Improved understanding of the physical effects of aging in dolphins and sea lions, and methods to delay or prevent, the onset of disease

How to Submit

For detailed application and submission information for this research topic, please refer to our broad agency announcement (BAA) No. N0001425SB001.

Contracts: All white papers and full proposals for contracts must be submitted through FedConnect; instructions are included in the BAA.

Grants: All white papers for grants must be submitted through FedConnect, and full proposals for grants must be submitted through grants.gov; instructions are included in the BAA.


PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION

Name
Dr. Sandra Chapman
Title
Marine Mammal Health and Undersea Medicine and Performance Program Officer
Department
Code 342