Thank You, Bob Schoelkopf

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center announced today that the nonprofit organization’s long-time Founding Executive Director, Bob Schoelkopf, has retired. Bob’s decision to retire will bring to a close a remarkable 53 year career of working with marine mammals.

“Bob’s tireless efforts to protect, defend, treat, release and learn from every animal he encountered helped set national standards for working with these animals, impacting the general public’s understanding, appreciation and respect for marine animals. That’s a wonderful legacy.” Says Dr. Ginny Pierce, veterinarian and former MMSC board member.

The vision for what would become the Marine Mammal Stranding Center started with one small whale in need. On March 23, 1976, a young pygmy sperm whale stranded in Atlantic City, NJ in front of Convention Hall. The 1500lb whale was suffering from lacerations and bruises from struggling in the surf. Among the experts that were called in to assist was Bob, who at the time was the Manager of the Steel Pier. With the help of veterinarians and first responders, U.S. Coast Guard personnel slid an inflatable raft under the injured animal and floated it to the Coast Guard base, as Bob tended to the whale inside the raft. A crane was used to carefully hoist the whale and Bob into a Coast Guard wet storage tank filled with seawater. And so began the intensive round-the-clock care of the injured whale, named "Semper Paratus" ("Always Ready"- the Coast Guard motto). Bob stayed by "SP's" side, caring for him day and night as the team of biologists, veterinarians and off-duty Coast Guardsmen all worked together to provide supportive care to the ailing whale. Despite their ground-breaking efforts, "SP" lost his fight and succumbed to his injuries three days later.

From the tragic loss of "SP" was born the idea that a great need existed for an organization that could help stranded, sick and injured marine mammals and sea turtles in New Jersey. Two years later in March of 1978, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center was founded by Bob Schoelkopf.

What started as an idea inspired by one stranding nearly 47 years ago has become New Jersey’s only organization dedicated to the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release of marine mammals in the State of New Jersey, responding to over 5,880 marine mammals and sea turtles since being founded.

As Founding Director Emeritus, Bob will maintain an advisory role with MMSC, assisting with the transition of leadership within the organization. Sheila Dean will be Bob’s successor as the MMSC’s Director. Sheila has been with the nonprofit since its founding in 1978 as the organization’s Co-Director. MMSC Education & Volunteer Coordinator, Michele Pagel, will be Assistant Director.

New Year's Message from the Director
As 2022 comes to a close, we reflect upon the year and how it fits into our 44 years of rescue, rehabilitation and release. It is amazing how quickly the decades of our work have slipped by, and 5,880 stranded animals later, we still care about each and every animal whose lives we have impacted over the years. We celebrate our triumphs and mourn our losses, while very grateful that the former outnumbers the latter. Our success is due to the generosity of people like you, who care deeply about marine mammals and our environment.

So far in 2022 (the year isn’t quite over, and anything can happen!) we have responded to 155 marine mammals and sea turtles in distress throughout New Jersey. This year brought us 51 seals, with grey seal pups being the vast majority, and nearly a dozen under our roof at one point during the winter. Six large whales washed ashore in New Jersey during 2022, including four Humpbacks, one Minke and one Sperm whale. The year also brought 46 dolphins to our beaches, including Bottlenose, Common and Striped dolphins. While it always saddens us when an animal washes ashore deceased, or the only thing we can do is to end suffering, we learn as much as possible from each animal by collecting scientific data. By studying each animal in death, we hope to gain more insight on how to protect these fragile species in the future. We are happy to say that 2022 gave us one miracle for the whales, a Minke whale stranded on a sandbar in Brigantine that was successfully refloated and swam back to the freedom of the ocean.

We think about the sick and injured seals that have come through our hospital who, under the round the clock care of our dedicated staff and volunteers, have been given the gift of a second chance at life in the wild. We think about the “Class of 2022”- 31 seals that were either simply relocated to a safer beach away from potential danger, or those that spent time in our hospital recovering from illness or injury before returning to the wild. Our hope is that they are out there thriving and contributing to the survival of their species with their own pups.

We think about how the populations of many of the species we work with have changed over the years, some increasing in numbers, and sadly, some decreasing. We think also about how the challenges they face in the wild continue to grow, as the threats of pollution, plastics and marine debris loom over them. We think about the “Grey Girls”, two grey seal pups with chronic medical issues that found their forever homes in zoological facilities this year. We know they will be amazing ambassadors for their wild cousins, helping teach the public to care about the health of the ocean and the wild animals that call it home.

As with all nonprofits, we worry about what the future holds for the MMSC and the animals that need our help. During these exceptional times we continue to press forward with our work, despite the economic challenges we are all facing. We are so grateful for the help of our volunteers and supporters, who always come through for the animals. Because of you the triumphs outweigh the losses, and countless animals have been rescued, rehabilitated and returned to the wild. Without our supporters, volunteers and dedicated staff members, we simply could not do what we need to do- Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release these fragile animals. THANK YOU!

With warm wishes for a safe and happy New Year,
Sheila Dean, MMSC Director
and the Staff of the MMSC