There’s Only One Place in NJ That Rescues Whales, Seals & Dolphins - It’s in Brigantine..
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine has cared for sea animals in need across the entire state of New Jersey since its founding in nearly 50 years ago in 1978.
No city in the state cares for the welfare of sea creatures quite like Brigantine - and that's a fact.
Need proof? The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, located at 3625 Atlantic Brigantine Blvd., was founded by Sheila Dean and her husband Robert Schoelkopf in 1978 and it is the only operation in the state dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals. Sheila conceded that there is a sea turtle rehabilitation center in West Orange they work with - but that's it.
"We handle the entire state of New Jersey," Sheila said. "We go all the way up to the Scudder Falls Bridge, the rivers and bays."
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center got its start when Robert was working in Atlantic City and responded to a call where a whale was stranded on the beach. He requested help from the Coast Guard and moved the beached whale to the base where it sat for several days. Dean said veterinarians from University of Pennsylvania made the trek to Atlantic City, too. And although the whale passed away, Robert and Sheila decided they needed a place to care for animals in need.
In 1983 the Marine Mammal Stranding Center found its home in Brigantine - the town's lifeguards helped dig out a bayside pen for sea lions and the rest, as they say, is history.
"We rent the space for a dollar a year," Sheila said. "We built the rest of the buildings, put a pool in the ground. It's grown a little bit."
Over the years the Marine Mammal Stranding Center has responded to thousands of calls for various sea mammals. Everything from seals to dolphins, whales to sea turtles and even a couple manatees - if it's a marine mammal in need, Sheila's team will care for it and do their best to nurse it back to health.
There is a museum on site that is open to the public. In June it is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Come July it will be open from Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Visitors can see life-sized displays of different animals you'd find along the Jersey coast from fish to marine mammals to sea turtles.
While the public can visit the museum, the rehabbing animals are not available for visits. However, there are cameras on the animals and a stream where you can see the seals in action.
The Center is inclusive - they do their best to engage all visitors big and small.
"We have kids programs, too," Sheila added.
They'll have shell painting or other kinds of art classes. On occasion, live animals are available for visitors to interact with.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center has other events as well. On July 9 and Aug. 12 they are hosting a family explorer program where people of all ages depart out of Atlantic City on a cruise ship to teach kids about the animals that call the ocean home.
"It's like breakfast with dolphins," Sheila said with a smile.
There is an adult cruise option coming this summer, too. On July 24, there is a Christmas in July cruise with a cookie buffet, cash bar and an opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the Atlantic City bay.
All money raised at these events goes right back to the mission of responding to and caring for animals in need.
"Our primary goal is to rescue, rehab and release these animals back to the wild," Sheila said.
As of April, the center has taken in 65 new mammals this year - and 6,325 since its inception. All of that is done right in Brigantine's own backyard.
For more information on the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, visit mmsc.org or find them on Facebook @njmarinemammal. If interested, tickets for the aforementioned cruises can be purchased on the website.
Article made possible by Atlantic Title Agency and Wiser Insurance Agency.
