About the Author

Mark has worked in the field of applied behavioral sciences for 36 years. As the Director of Animal Husbandry for the Keiko Release Project, Simmons authored and applied the behavioral rehabilitation blueprint for reintroduction that gained approval from the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries for Keiko’s formal release.

He assists governments on protective marine legislation, participates in ongoing research with marine mammals and is heavily involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and stranded animals. Simmons has provided consulting on marine mammal health assessment and recovery, training program evaluation and development, and zoological program management to numerous agencies such as NOAA/NMFS and facilities worldwide in United States, Mexico, Singapore, Bahamas, Dubai, Philippines, Iceland, Jamaica, Panama, China and St. Lucia.

He has taught marine mammal behavioral science at the University of Miami and conducted numerous seminars and public lectures on the Keiko Release Project.