Young Harp Seal on Spring Lake beach 2-26-09

Photo by Nancy Maclearie-Hayduk All Rights Reserved

SHARING THE SHORE

(by Luke Hayduk)

New Jersey Marine Mammal Strandings

People don't often realize that we share our shores with important marine mammals. Animals such as seals, dolphins, whales and turtles share the ocean and the beaches with humans.

 If you see a stranded animal on the beach:

1.   CALL FOR HELP

Call your local Police Department or the Marine Mammal Stranding Center at 609-266-0539

2.   KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE ANIMAL

These are wild animals and they may bite.  They may also return to the water before help arrives. Please stay back at least 100'.

3.   KEEP DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS AWAY

Even though your dog may be wagging his tail, an encounter with an injured mammal on the beach can be dangerous for you, your dog and the animal.

4.   WATCH AND WAIT

Please stay with the stranded animal until the police or a stranding center technician arrives. Explain to onlookers what you know about marine mammals and the importance of respecting their space on the beach. If you see any changes in the stranded animals behavior, please call the stranding center and explain what you see.

Baby Grey Seal on the Belmar beach. 

Please visit the Marine Mammal Standing website at http://www.marinemammalstrandingcenter.org/

To get involved locally, click on the contact us link on the homepage

We’re all just visitors on the planet

….please share.