Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Group. The Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Group is responsible for the recovery and rehabilitation of impacted mammals. This involves deterrence, recovering dead or live mammals, transporting them to processing centers, and providing medical and husbandry care to impacted animals. These activities are performed in close coordination with the Unified Command, along with state and federal trustee agencies. Wildlife recovery by any agency or organization must be conducted under the direction of the Unified Command. Their activities must comply with agreements and permits from the appropriate management agencies (i.e., state fish and wildlife agencies, NOAA, USFWS). Although marine mammals are generally associated with oil spills, it is also possible to recover terrestrial mammals such as muskrat, raccoon, and river otter. The Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Unit is responsible for all mammals. Recovery and Rehabilitation Group personnel are drawn from state and federal trustee agencies and approved contractors. Unlike other Wildlife Branch activities, Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation personnel will include a high proportion of federal trustee personnel, including members of the marine mammal stranding networks. Terrestrial mammal personnel generally will involve
Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Group. The Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Group is responsible for the recovery and rehabilitation of impacted mammals. This involves deterrence, recovering dead or live mammals, transporting them to processing centers, and providing medical and husbandry care to impacted animals. These activities are performed in close coordination with the Unified Command, along with state and federal trustee agencies. Wildlife recovery by any agency or organization must be conducted under the direction of the Unified Command. Their activities must comply with agreements and permits from the appropriate management agencies (i.e., state fish and wildlife agencies, NOAA, USFWS). Although marine mammals are generally associated with oil spills, it is also possible to recover terrestrial mammals such as muskrat, raccoon, and river otter. The Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Unit is responsible for all mammals. Recovery and Rehabilitation Group personnel are drawn from state and federal trustee agencies and approved contractors. Unlike other Wildlife Branch activities, Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation personnel will include a high proportion of federal trustee personnel, including members of the marine mammal stranding networks. Terrestrial mammal personnel generally will involve professional wildlife rehabilitators from federal and state approved organizations. Trained, qualified volunteers can be used as long as they comply with the Northwest Area Volunteer Policy, including ensuring that appropriate training requirements and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards are met. Duties of the Marine Mammal Recovery and Rehabilitation Group Supervisor include: Contacting/coordinating with federal and state agencies as appropriate to species involved; Ensuring that safety plans are developed and understood by Group personnel; Developing mammal reconnaissance, search and collection, field stabilization (if needed), transport, deterrence, euthanasia, rehabilitation, and release plans; Announcing marine mammal stranding contact information (if appropriate); Estimating type and number of marine mammals that will be recovered; Determining where rehabilitation facilities will be located; Determining personnel needs (capture, transport, rehabilitation, facility support/development, security, etc.); Determining waste handling needs (liquid and solids) and incorporating them into the Environmental Unit Disposal Plan; Developing incid...
