Our Pioneering Legacy
For more than 50 years, the U.S. Navy’s Marine Mammal Program (MMP) has trained bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to protect our nation. These remarkable animals possess unique capabilities that allow them to detect and recover potential threats in harbors and oceans, safeguard our ports, and protect Navy ships and personnel. Throughout this time, scientists and veterinarians have studied and gained valuable insights into these animals, and shared their findings in over one thousand scientific publications.
The pioneering legacy of the MMP and NMMF are both tied to the ‘ father of marine mammal medicine’, Dr. Sam Ridgway, who was a founder of the MMP, which he served for more than 60 years, and the founding President and CEO of the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF).
In 2007, the Navy MMP established the NMMF, our nonprofit organization, to serve a broader national interest and ensure the highest quality of care for the Navy’s marine mammals. At its inception, the NMMF brought together an exceptional team of veterinarians, scientists, and animal care experts, creating a world-class organization dedicated to advancing marine mammal science and care.
Building on this foundation, the NMMF sought to leverage its unique resources and explored what more could be done to play a pivotal role in marine mammal conservation. With unparalleled expertise, pioneering leadership, and a robust body of knowledge, our team committed to applying what we learn from caring for the Navy’s extraordinary animals to conserve and protect animals in the wild.
Today, the NMMF conducts cutting-edge research and leads groundbreaking scientific discoveries with Navy animals, collaborating with top scientists and institutions worldwide. We translate this research into practical medicine and technology to benefit all marine mammals, with a special focus on protecting the most endangered dolphins, porpoises, and whales on the planet.
The NMMF is globally recognized as a leader in marine mammal science and conservation, addressing critical questions about marine mammal health and tackling the environmental challenges these species face around the world.
