The document discusses the Baltimore National Aquarium's Marine Rescue Program, led by Jennifer Dittmar. The program rescues over 300 marine animals annually that are injured or in distress. Dittmar oversees rehabilitation and release of rescued animals, including a current project rehabilitating endangered Kemp Ridley sea turtles for release on October 1. The rescue program aims to address threats to marine animals from pollution, disposal of trash at sea, and other human impacts on habitats to protect endangered species like sea turtles.

1. The Baltimore National Aquarium
Featuring: Jennifer Dittmar and the
campaign for the rescue of Kemp Ridley
Sea Turtles

2. Did you know?
 The disposal of human waste in bay and ocean
areas is the #2 cause of death of marine animals
 Many marine animals suffer from being entangled
in trash or consuming materials that contaminate
their natural habitat and put their lives in danger
 The average rehabilitation of marine animals can
range from 6 weeks to 6 months

3. Baltimore National Aquarium Marine
Rescue Program
 The Baltimore National Aquarium’s Rescue
Program was founded in 2002

4.  The program currently has over 300 volunteers
and staff
 Annually, the program accumulates $1.5 million in
donation that goes directly to the development of
rehabilitation facilities and medical care for
animals
 In the Baltimore Bay area, there are 12 ports
stationed that rescue marine animals and report
citizens who dispose of their trash in the ocean
and bay area

5. Who is Jennifer Dittmar?
 Jennifer Dittmar is the stranding coordinator for
the Baltimore National Aquarium’s Marine Animal
Rescue Program
 Has dedicated the past 20 years of her life to the
rescue and rehabilitation of animals exposed to
dangerous conditions in their natural habitats

6.  She began volunteering in 2004, and joined the
staff in 2005
 She oversees a team of rescuers and is in charge
of provision for animals by providing:
 Housing
 Rehabilitation
 Conducting medical examinations
 In the past year, 450 animals in distress have been
rescued and 87 marine animals have been
rehabilitated and returned to sea

7. New Project
 Currently, Dittmar and her team have taken on a
project to rescue and rehabilitate the Kemp
Ridley Sea Turtles
 Kemp Ridley Sea Turtles are the most
endangered and smallest of the sea turtle species
 Many suffer from cold stunning which is the sea
turtle equivalent to hypothermia and have
ingested toxins such as automotive oil or been
caught in trash.

8. When are they to be released?
 The turtles Donner, Blitzen, Buddy (the Elf) and
Frosty will be released at the Maryland Pointe
Lookout State Park on October 1
 The turtles have been at the Marine Animal
Rescue Program rehabilitating for six weeks

9. Why help?
 Sea turtles are proven to be the most endangered
group by the negligence of others
 The National Sea Turtle Foundation has partnered
with the Baltimore National Aquarium to develop
programs to rescue and adequately rehabilitate sea
turtles and other marine life
 The foundation has established a fund where people
can donate to the furthering development of programs
and campaigns to bring awareness to the issue and
aid in its growth in aiding animals in need

10. Get involved!
 To volunteer with the Baltimore National
Aquarium, visit www.aquarium.org
 To donate or contribute to awareness programs in
regards to the rescue of sea turtles, visit the
National Sea Turtle Foundation’s website at
www.seaturtle.org