Tag: Marine Mammal Stranding Center

Harp Seal Stranded on Thompson’s Beach

By: Stephanie Feigin, Wildlife Ecologist

Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Ecologist Stephanie Feigin and Dr. Larry Niles of LJ Niles Associates LLC found a stranded Harp Seal on Thompson’s Beach last week while out monitoring CWF’s Delaware Bay restoration work.

Larry called the Marine Mammal Stranding Center to come out and assess the situation. When the stranding team arrived, they were able to see that the seal had been eating sand, making him/her sick. Sometimes, Harp Seals confuse sand with ice, as their primary habitat is in Arctic waters. In an attempt to re-hydrate themselves when they make their way down to our beaches, they will lick the sand on our beaches, thinking it is the ice they are used to, making them sick.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center took the seal back with them to nurse him/her back to health and they are optimistic that he/she will make a full recovery.

If you find a stranded seal, always remember to call the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and give professionals the chance to rescue the animal.

Learn more:

• Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s work on Marine Mammals

Stephanie Feigin is the Wildlife Ecologist for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.

By: Lindsay McNamara, Communications Coordinator

Bottlenose Dolphins, their numbers impacted last year from a nasty virus that rivals the death rate of Ebola in West Africa, are still dying, researchers have found.

The outbreak of morbillivirus, a measles-like virus that causes pneumonia, skin lesions and brain infections, has killed roughly twice as many bottlenose dolphins as the last big outbreak in 1987-88. In New Jersey, 151 bottlenose dolphins died last year — nearly 10 times this year’s toll so far, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.

Morbillivirus is highly contagious. It’s spread through respiration (via blowholes) and direct contact. Experts think the virus may also be spread through skin contact.

Asbury Park Press Reporter Todd B. Bates explores the unusual mortality event:

• Read the full Asbury Park Press article.

Learn more:

• Explore Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s plans to protect marine mammals in New Jersey.
• Read Executive Director David Wheeler’s blog on the dolphin die-off from May 2014.
• Ask the Experts: NOAA’s Mendy Garron Sheds Light on Bottlenose Dolphin Die-off (May 2014).

Lindsay McNamara is the Communications Coordinator for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.