What is the MMRN? - Marine Mammal Research Network

MMRN Mission Statement

The goal of the Marine Mammal Research Network (MMRN) is to broaden the scope and impact of research with marine mammals in human care by establishing cooperative relationships between facilities and scientists, and by enhancing and growing scientific communication.

Our Commitment to Science

Our aim is to connect animal care facilities with researchers to encourage greater collaborative relationships and further grow the field of marine mammal science. We believe these relationships between scientists and practitioners are key for having a direct impact on the enrichment and wellbeing of the animals we work with, as well as having translational benefits to the conservation and welfare of marine mammals in the wild.

EXPLORE OUR RESEARCH

Our Commitment to Animal Welfare

We believe that excellent, meaningful research can only be conducted when the welfare and husbandry conditions of the animals are the number one priority. Many facilities uphold the standards suitable to conduct great research and have the potential to join the current research efforts. We would like to encourage research efforts for all facilities, and demonstrate the power that research in zoological settings can have on animal welfare, public engagement and scientific impact.

READ TESTIMONIALS FROM MMRN COLLABORATORS

Founded by Scientists

Formed in 2021, MMRN is a collective of world leading marine mammal experts whose research covers a broad range of topics including animal welfare science, communication and acoustics, physiology, behaviour, cognition, ecology, and conservation.

We are also proud to work with leaders within the marine mammal industry today, who are committed to providing the best, evidence-based practice and husbandry to the animals within their care.

We encourage graduate students and early career researchers to be an active part of our network as they contribute unique perspectives and skills, as well as benefiting from the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers and practitioners in the field of marine mammal science.

Explore Up-to-Date Research

MMRN Member research in facilities goes back decades and continues to expand our knowledge of marine mammals. This work enables us to better understand the lives of wild marine mammals, in order to assess the impacts of threats, and to find solutions to protect them.. Read the latest peer reviewed papers from our members.

Allen, A. S., Read, A. J., Shorter, K. A., Gabaldon, J., Blawas, A. M., Rocho-Levine, J., & Fahlman, A. (2022). Dynamic body acceleration as a proxy to predict the cost of locomotion in bottlenose dolphins. Journal of Experimental Biology, 225(4)

Bruck, J. N., & Pack, A. A. (2022). Understanding across the senses: Cross-modal studies of cognition in cetaceans. Animal Cognition. Special Issue on cognition in marine mammals: The strength of flexibility in adapting to marine life.

Bruck, J. N., Walmsey, S., & Janik, V. M. (2022). Cross-modal perception of identity by sound and taste in bottlenose dolphins, Science Advances, 8(20).

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