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MARINE_MAMMALS_PROGRAM
History of Program: The Smithsonian Institution has long had an interest in marine mammals, starting with the hiring of Spencer Fullerton Baird in 1850 as assistant secretary with the responsibility of the directorship of the United States National Museum. In 1878 Baird became the second secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, a position he held until his death in 1887. Baird was an avid naturalist with a bent towards the marine environment. His interest lead to the hiring of such eminent naturalists as Leonard Stejneger and William H. Dall. Although Stejneger was most known for his work in herpetology and Dall in mollusks, they were part of a body of researchers who contributed to the study of marine mammals whenever possible. Baird also was implemental in the forming of the United States Fish Commission in 1871 and became the first director of that commission. The Fish Commission has gone through a variety of names changes, from the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries up through the National Mar! ine Fisheries Service. The Commission has always had an interest in marine mammals fostered by the interests of its first director. The current Marine Mammal Program of the Smithsonian maintains a excellent working relationship with the National Marine Fisheries Service resulting in numerous additions to the marine mammal collection. Current Marine Mammal Program: The Marine Mammal Program is a cooperative research program whose principal goal is to extract all biological data that we can from stranded and incidentally taken animals. Strandings form our only means of access to better than half of the cetacean species. It is possible to gain data on many aspects of the normal life history of cetaceans through a thorough examination of these specimens. We routinely collect data and specimens that relate to stomach contents, relative organ weights, parasite burden, reproductive condition and stage of physical maturity. We also take external morphometrics and photographs of the external pigmentation pattern. This data forms the basis for all of Dr. Mead's current research publications. For more information, link to "http://vertebrates.si.edu/mammals/mammals_mmp.html" [Summary provided by Smithsonian]