Animal Transport Abstracts
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Accident and Rescue Management for Large Marine Animal Transports Frank Young, Dynasty Marine Associates, Inc Watch Video (Login required) . Full Abstract
On June 10, 2015, the Dynasty Marine Transport Team loaded 4 adult sandbar sharks into our 18-wheel reefer configuration-temperature controlled transport trailer at approximately 9:00am and left our Marathon facility enroute to the New York Aquarium. Slightly north of Orlando approximately 6 hours later, the tractor blew a front tire. The tire wrapped around the truck’s steering arm as it disintegrated off the wheel, thus freezing the steering system and eliminating any control of the vehicles trajectory. This caused the rig to skid off the turnpike and onto the grassy-soft shoulder of the highway. The momentum of the truck was finally halted abruptly as it slammed into a large tree. Fortunately, none of the transport team was injured in the crash. During the collision with the tree, both transport tanks broke free of their internal restraints and penetrated the front of the aluminum trailer. Further both transport tanks cracked and one shark was completely ejected out of the front of the trailer. A second shark was partially ejected. The transport team was able to quickly lift the shark that was partially ejected back into one of the damaged transport tanks. Since both the truck and trailer were a total loss and inoperable, the transport team immediately faced a life threatening emergency for the animals. As per our ever-present contingency planning, we called colleagues in the Orlando area to see if anyone could assist us in the rescue of the sharks. SeaWorld Orlando was able to quickly prepare and execute an emergency evacuation plan that included transport trucks, transport tanks, seawater, spare oxygen, staff and temporary holding space for the sharks – all prepared with great skill and with no advance notice. The execution of that plan and the eventual success of the rescue will be discussed in detail along with challenges associated with the brief, yet intense media scrutiny. |
Aquarium on Wheel at the Aquarium of the Pacific Kylie Lev, Newport Aquarium Watch Video (Login required) . Full Abstract
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, has operated the Aquarium on Wheels program since 2002. On average, the Aquarium on Wheels truck drives 10,000 miles each year while visiting 40,000 guests in and around the Long Beach area. This mobile tidepool contains all the essential infrastructure and life support systems to provide a permanent home for a variety of local species. From October 2015 to January 2016, the Aquarium on Wheels vehicle has undergone an extensive renovation including redesigned, modified, and updated life support systems. Over the past 14 years, there have been several problems that our staff has addressed. Some problems include vibrations from driving affecting the life support systems, high levels of Enterococcus bacteria, water loss when driving, and bulky life support equipment. The new truck is specifically designed to address the common problems faced by the staff operating the truck when offsite. The new system design incorporates updated life support technology and provides a more user-friendly system while maintaining the same water quality and animal health standards as all other exhibits at the Aquarium of the Pacific. |
Capture, holding and transport of Yellowmouth barracuda,
Sphyraena viridensis Joao Correia, Flying Sharks Watch Video (Login required) . Full Abstract
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