Part of our World Ocean Day Celebration, join Mike Tift, Director of the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program, a collaborative team of scientists and students that responds to sick, injured, and deceased whales, dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals along the North Carolina coast. The program combines hands-on conservation work with internationally-recognized research focused on marine mammal health, biology and environmental change. 

Tift will discuss several exciting areas of marine mammal research and conservation being conducted at University of North Carolina Wilmington. Topics will include how whales, dolphins, and seals are able to hold their breath for long periods and dive to incredible depths, how studying marine mammals can help advance human and veterinary medicine, and how marine mammals living in Antarctica are responding to the rapid loss of sea ice caused by climate change. The presentation will also highlight ongoing conservation and research efforts by the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program, aimed at better understanding and protecting these remarkable animals.