3- Bacterial infections may cause suppression of bone marrow resulting in regenerative anemia. It seems that in this case it took several weeks for the reticulocytosis to begin to normalize even after the anemia had resolved. This may be due to cytokines being produced which decrease the life span of the erythrocytes, thereby stimulating reticulocyte production. Dr Greg Bossart reports that he has seen a few cases like this which resolve on their own but take weeks to 6 months. Despite all the best preparations, once a dolphin is released it must face all the dangers of everyday life in the wild.
Hurricanes are often unpredictable.
Hurricane Irene was only a tropical depression at the time of release and was predicted to land on the west coast of Florida. Instead it crossed the state and traveled up the eastern coast. Satellite transmitter technology needs to be improved. We have had several transmitter failures in the past years. Perhaps as more companies enter the market, quality will improve.