Posts Tagged ‘MERR’
Seals Return to Delaware Waters: MERR Urges Public to Keep Distance and Report Sightings
The Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute, Inc. (MERR) would like to remind beachgoers and boaters that seals are once again in the area. Delaware experiences 4 different species of seals that visit our waterways during the winter months, and can often be seen resting and sunning themselves on rocks, docks, beaches, and other areas…
Read MoreDolphin Pair Spotted Friday near Milton Town Dock
If you happened to be at Milton Memorial Park Friday – you may have spotted a couple of bottlenose dolphins near the town docks. MERR officials report that a mother and calf swam up the Broadkill River into the boat basin – likely following fish. Officials say that as the tide turned – the dolphins…
Read MoreStranded Humpback Whale Floats Out to Sea After Failed Towing Efforts in Indian River Bay
MERR has provided an update regarding a dead 44-foot humpback whale that was stranded on a sandbar in Indian River Bay on March 31st. Due to its size, shallow waters, and poor weather, initial towing attempts failed. A second attempt was scheduled for April 9th, but heavy rain and strong winds on April 7th through…
Read MoreMERR Rescue Gray Seal from Cape Henlopen State Park Sunday
A gray seal pup was rescued by MERR officials Sunday from Cape Henlopen State Park. Officials spotted a large wound on the her left side and that she was thin. Closer inspection showed more small wounds and that the seal was dehydrated. She will be transported to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for long term…
Read MoreSeal Rescue in Fenwick Island
A seal rescue took place in Fenwick Island this week. MERR Institute responded to the young, recently weaned grey seal pup on February 24th. The underweight pup had multiple puncture wounds, possibly from another animal. After monitoring, rescuers determined it needed medical care. The seal was transported to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for treatment…
Read MorePilot Whale Beached at Indian River Inlet Dies
Images courtesy Sheri Marie Finazzo Suzanne Thurman from the MERR Institute says the juvenile short-finned pilot whale that beached itself on Monday on the north side of the Indian River Inlet has died. She was rolling around in the surf where rocks were cutting open her wounds, Thurman says, and was also taking in water.…
Read MoreBaby Harbor Seals Found in Delaware Bay!
Is the Delaware Bay their next birthing ground? “We had an interesting week with a couple more seals,” says Suzanne Thurman from the MERR Institute. “They turned out to be harbor seal pups that had just been weaned, which means they must have been born somewhere here or nearby,” she explains. Photo courtesy Suzanne Thurman, MERR Institute…
Read MoreHarp Seal Rescue at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes
Members of the Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute rescued a stranded harp seal earlier this week at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes. According to MERR, the one-year-old female had a few minor injuries and was slightly underweight but alert. She had been eating a little bit of sand. If you encounter a seal resting…
Read MoreMERR Investigates 6 Sea Turtle Deaths in Past Week
Suzanne Thurman from the MERR Institute says her organization investigated six dead sea turtles this past week. Four were loggerheads and two were Kemps Ridley’s. One loggerhead had been tagged on Jekyll Island, Georgia while nesting. Three of the turtles had evidence of boat propeller injuries, one of a boat strike, one of a dredge and the…
Read MoreTroubling Dolphin Deaths
Suzanne Thurman of the MERR Institute says her organization has investigated five dolphin deaths in the past few days. Four were calves and one was a sub-adult. Rehoboth Beach Patrol guards found this one around 7 a.m. off Queen Street on Saturday. Photo courtesy Capt. Jeffrey Giles, Rehoboth Beach Patrol The others were found at Broadkill, Lewes, Cape…
Read MoreIt’s Seal Season! What to Do if You See a Seal on the Beach
t’s seal season on Delmarva – and beachgoers and boaters remember to keep your distance. Officials at the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute say 4 species of seal visit our waterways during the winter – and can be seen resting and sunning on the rocks, docks, beaches and other areas. Keep a minimum 150…
Read More4 Sea Turtles Killed by Suspected Boat Propeller Strikes
Last week’s rough surf may have been the reason the MERR Institute had more than the usual number of sea turtle responses. Suzanne Thurman, MERR executive director, says her organization investigated the deaths of three loggerheads and two Kemp’s ridleys. All were located on the Delaware Bay between Prime Hook and Pickering beaches. Four, she says, like the one…
Read MoreRescued Seal Pippi Is Back In The Ocean
Pippi, a gray seal rescued at Dewey Beach in February, has been successfully rehabilitated at the National Aquarium in Baltimore and is now back in her ocean home. The Marine Education Research Rehabilitation Institute, or MERR, coordinated the rescue nine months ago. Pippi had a number of ailments, was malnourished and dehydrated and appeared to…
Read MoreEntangled Seal Rescued by MERR
Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) responded to a gray seal pup onthe bayside of the Point at Cape Henlopen State Park on Tuesday, May 12. The seal wasentangled in gill netting, which was wrapped tightly around its neck. Although it couldstill breathe, the line of the netting was cutting deeply into the neck, splaying…
Read MoreRehoboth ocean outfall permit challenge dismissed
DNREC has rejected the remaining appeal challenging the permits authorizing Rehoboth’s construction of an ocean outfall. The appeal was brought by Suzanne Thurman, executive director of MERR, arguing the construction of the outfall should be delayed ensure the project complies with the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act. Mayor Paul Kuhns said,…
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