Porpoise Rehab Sling

or PFD (Porpoise Floatation Device)

Custom designed sling for rescued baby Porpoise or Dolphins. Designed under consultation with experts at rehabilitation of Marine Mammals at the Vancouver Aquarium. Allows the mammal and rescuers to feel secure and rest at ease with the mammal safe in the water without the fear of sinking when exhaustion hits. Allows for easement of strict 24/7 monitoring and manpower restrictions.

 **NOTE!!**

This is a specialty item, not normally in stock. Please contact us if interested in purchasing one of these items. These items will only be sold to accredited Rescue Facilities and/or Aquariums. Please order in advance of an emergency as build time and shipping time will affect delivery.

Features:

• Adjustable flotation pontoon covers. Simply add whatever flotation you wish to use (inexpensive "pool noodles" work great for this). Also assists in reducing shipping volume, cleaning ease, and portability.
• Removable and height adjustable padded sling (black side piece in above picture).
• Sling sides covered in a smooth rip-stop fabric to protect sensitive skin.
• Dark sling inner rip-stop fabric specifically chosen to mimic "feeling" of having mother close by to draft from.
• 1000 Denier cordura nylon outer shell (red in photos) for high durability.
• Sling has a soft mesh bottom
• Neoprene gussets built into the mesh to fit fins and add reinforcing strength and support to center of gravity.
• Lower tail section is suspended from padded sides with elastic straps to allow for swimming tail movement to aid in rehabilitation and shaped into a "V" to assist in clearing sensitive genital areas.
• Retaining tabs at the top front and rear of the sling allow for a dowel or other spacer to be added to allow for greater customization of fit and buoyancy adjustment.
• Pontoon covers allow for flotation aids to be segmented while still contained to allow for less restrictive body movement and aid in rehabilitation.
• Tested for weights as low as 12kg moving up to 24kg with full adjustability.
• Machine washable, hang to dry. DO NOT MACHINE DRY or abnormal shrinkage may occur.

Some excerpts from local Vancouver newspapers and Web sites follow up interviews on the condition of the local rescued Harbour Porpoise this sling was requested for:

VANCOUVER - A young harbour porpoise rescued from Gonzales Beach in Victoria four weeks ago is swimming on her own and playing with toys in the pool at Vancouver Aquarium's marine mammal rescue centre.

The porpoise, named Daisy, was not expected to live when it was rushed to the aquarium after stranding itself. She had to be supported in the water by a specially designed sling or by volunteers who stayed in the pool with her 24 hours a day.

"She is doing well. She's quite stable and trucking along," said Lindsaye Akhurst, marine mammal rescue coordinator.

Vancouver Aquarium Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Martin Haulena, updates her condition:
 

“The porpoise is doing slightly better which is encouraging.  It’s too early to know how her condition will be in the longer term and we are working with her day-by-day.  She appears comfortable in a new sling designed to aid in her swimming, something she’s unable to do well without assistance.  She is gaining weight which is a good sign but a difficult result to accomplish.”