Echo and Misha Update: Twelve Years Back in the Wild
By Kim Bassos-Hull, M.Sc., Research Associate

Misha (left) and Knob Above Triangle Tabb (KATT) in Terra Ceia Bay on 30 May 2002.

It has been 12 years since Echo and Misha were returned to the wild in their native Tampa Bay waters after spending two years at a research laboratory in California. Both dolphins were the subjects of a unique two-part scientific experiment. Echo and Misha were initially collected in Tampa Bay in July 1988 and spent two years at the University of California at Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Laboratory where researchers studied their echolocation processing abilities and behavior patterns. Then, as planned prior to collection, on October 6th 1990 they were released back into Tampa Bay after a transition process in a seapen at Mote Marine Laboratory. During intensive monitoring during the first year following their release, both Echo and Misha were observed feeding, interacting with other local dolphins, and in general displaying typical behavioral, ranging, and social association patterns as well as excellent body condition.

Echo and Misha split up after the first few months back in the wild but researchers have continued to observe both dolphins through opportunistic sightings. Misha has been sighted on 69 days since release along the southeast coastline of Tampa Bay. During Misha’s most recent sighting on 30 May 2002 in Terra Ceia Bay, he was observed with another longtime associate, KATT, flanking a female dolphin with an older calf. Flanking behavior is commonly seen by adult males during this time of year which is peak breeding and calving time. Perhaps there is a little Misha in the works! Also present in this sighting was RP61 (also known as “Bumpy Fin”) with a brand new calf (see more news about RP61 in the article on Charlotte Harbor). Echo has been sighted 54 times since release, the last several sightings by the Eckerd College Dolphin Research Program in the Boca Ciega region (western part) of Tampa Bay. Echo’s most recent sighting was on 4 June 2002 near Pinellas Point. With plans to conduct more survey effort in Tampa Bay over the next few years we hope to keep tabs on these two special dolphins.