MERR
Saving stranded marine animals

Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute representatives are reminding beachgoers of the proper procedures if a marine animal is discovered.

Humans should never approach a beach animal, especially a seal, said MERR Institute Director Suzanne Thurman.  Seals are aggressive in nature and can spread diseases to humans.

If you do come upon marine animals along Delaware beaches and suggest they are in distress, call the MERR Institute at 302-228-5029.  To ensure the safety of you and the animals, Thurman suggests staying at least 50 feet away. 

While beached seals are not a common sight in Delaware throughout the summer, sea turtles are.  More than 30 species of marine mammals and sea turtles frequent Delaware's coast each year, many of which are endangered or protected species. These marine animals utilize the area as a feeding ground for a variety of organisms that are part of our marine ecosystem.

Common marine mammals  include the following: Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, Atlantic white-sided dolphin, Risso's dolphin, striped dolphin, common dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, short-finned and long-finned pilot whale, Orca, harbor porpoise, sperm whale, pygmy sperm whale, several species of beaked whales. northern right whale, humpback whale, fin whale; Sei whale, Minke whale and blue whale (offshore - very rare).

Seals - harbor, harp, hooded and gray; Sirenians - West Indian; and Manatee sea turtles - loggerhead, Kemp's Ridley, leatherback and green.

Contact www.merrinstitute.org or call the MERR Institute at 302-228-5029.