Institute for Marine Mammal Studies earns American Humane Certified Seal-

The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, a long-time local animal care and research facility, has landed top honors and a world-wide special designation for its commitment and care of animals.

Welcome.- - a local animal care and researc- facility has- landed top honors and a - world-wide, special - designation for its commitment- and care of animals.- american humane, the country's- first national humane - organization has announced the- institute for marine mammal - studies has earned its american- humane certified seal,- and as toni miles show us, this- is a first not only for our - state,- but the entire gulf states- region.

- - for decades, the institute for- marine mammal studies, or imms,- has been a life line for- stranded and wounded marine lif- and other animals...a - speciality they've culuminated- through - partnerships over the years...a- seen just over two- months ago when an msu- veterinarian made a special - trip to save this rare kemp's - - - - ridley turtle.

File interview:- august 5, 2020: dr. john- thomason, msu veterinarian- "she's a larger turtle, so she's going t- be one, who will go out, be abl- - - - to nest, and be able to produce- a lot more turtles here in the- future, so she's really - important."

Now she's on the mend and ready- to reproduce, thanks to all - hands on deck here at the - - - - gulfport facility and beyond...- their efforts have not gone - unnoticed...and in fact, have - netted the imms its american- humane certified seal,- demonstrating the highest - - - - standard of animal care ... - world-wide recognition...and a- first for mississippi and - the gulf states region.

- dr. mobi solangi, president and- executive director, institute - for marine- mammal studies: "we are delighted that we have had this- - - - prestigious organization that - accredits and certifies animal- welfare standards in the- united states and worldwide, an- we have been given the- certification."

A hard-earned distinciton.- dr. mobi solangi, president and- executive director, institute - for marine- mammal studies: "they sent thei audit team, which is biologists- veterinarians.

They spent a ful- two days looking at every aspec- of our- business-animal welfare issues- and the way we handle animals.- it wasn't - easy.

It's one of the most- rigorous methods of making sure- that when they- give this accreditation and - designation, you are really at- the world standard."

Toni miles, news 25: "while thi distinction is the first in the- state of mississippi, imms- leaders and researchers continu- to work daily to raise the bar- when it comes - to research and the care of - these animals."

Dr. mobi solangi, president and- executive director, institute - for marine- mammal studies: "we were involved when there was the bp- oil spill, then the bonnet- carre spillway.

We have taken a- leadership role along with- mississippi state - university's college of - veterinary medicine.

I think we- are the top of the line, in not- only- throughout the united states, - but probably recognized - throughout the world."

In gulfport, toni miles, news - 25.