Brigantine
New Jersey
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
Mission:
Rescue, Rehabilitate, Release, Preserve
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a private, non-profit organization, started in 1978 with a handful of volunteers and a C.E.T.A. grant, was founded, and is still directed by Robert Schoelkopf. He and his wife, Sheila Dean, along with a small paid staff and volunteers with a wide variety of talents and professional backgrounds, continue to work with the animals. Originally based in Gardner’s Basin in the inlet section of Atlantic City, the Center is now located on the barrier island of Brigantine, which borders coastal New Jersey’s largest wildlife refuge.
With a permit and authorization from the state and federal governments, the Center has responded to over 3170 strandings of whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that have washed ashore over the years. Even though these governments sanction the handling of strandings in New Jersey only, the Center is occasionally called upon to assist with animals in other states. All funding comes through donations, grants, memberships, and fund-raising efforts. Since there is no permanent funding at this time, your donations and membership dollars are vital. Your support will help the facility to expand and to care for the increasing number of animals. Without your assistance, these creatures have little hope of survival or rehabilitation.
Recent News
Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - December 6, 2023
Looking for holiday gift ideas? We've got you covered! No matter who you are shopping for or what your budget is, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center's online store has something for everyone on your list this year! Check out our online gift…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - November 21, 2023
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center has responded to 6,043 marine mammals and sea turtles in distress throughout the State of New Jersey since 1978. MMSC’s work is ongoing, responding to animals in dire need of assistance 24 hours per day, 365…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - November 8, 2023
Because of YOU, we raised over $10,000 through our fall fundraising events! The Marine Mammal Stranding Center relies heavily on fundraising events to continue our mission and carry out our life-saving work for the marine mammals and sea turtles of…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter september 14, 2023
LAST CALL to come aboard our sunset whale watch cruise! Come out for a fun filled evening aboard a sunset cruise with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center! Enjoy light food, beverages, and the…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - August 18, 2023
Honoring Humpback whale, NYC0260 We are very saddened to share with you the news of the death of Humpback whale NYC0260, who washed ashore deceased in Long Branch, New Jersey on the afternoon of August 12th. This whale became very well-known in our…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - July 27, 2023
Seal Class of 2022-2023! With the final release of this seal season behind us, we thought you would enjoy this "class photo" of all twenty patients that were successfully rehabilitated by the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and returned to the wild…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - July 14, 2023
Final release of seal season! Our final seal release of the 2022-2023 season was a BIG one with the return of Harbor seal #23-089 (Barnegat Light) back to the wild! This adult female Harbor seal spent over six weeks recovering from an injury in…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - June 29, 2023
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Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - June 9, 2023
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Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - May 25, 2023
Happy World Turtle Day! We celebrated World Turtle Day on Tuesday! Did you know that the MMSC has responded to 2,276 Sea Turtles over the past 45 years? Everything from the giant Leatherback to the smallest Kemp's Ridley Sea turtles have been…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center News - May 12, 2023
Happy Release Day to SIX Grey seals! #InCaseYouMissedIt on our FB live yesterday, here are photos of our Stranding Team returning a group of six Grey seals back to the ocean! All of these seals had been admitted to the Marine Mammal Stranding…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - #FiveDollarFriday!
Have you heard of #FiveDollarFriday? A small donation multiplied by many people can make a HUGE impact for the animals! We are currently caring for ELEVEN seals in our hospital, including this Grey seal pup who is healing after stranding in…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - April 13, 2023
Release Day for Harbor seal #23-027 On February 27th, we responded to a call for an injured seal stranded along the Delaware Bay in Fortescue, Cumberland County. The female Harbor seal had several new and old wounds, including fresh puncture wounds…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - April 4, 2023
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Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - MMSC Celebrates 45 Years
MMSC’s 45th Anniversary and "SP" The Whale That Started It All A pygmy sperm whale stranded in Atlantic City, NJ in front of Convention Hall. The 1500lb whale was suffering from lacerations and bruising from struggling in the surf. Among…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter -March 9, 2023
Looking for the latest information available on whale and dolphin strandings in New Jersey? The "Cetacean Stranding Data" page on MMSC's website provides graphs summarizing the past 20 years of both whale and dolphin strandings in New Jersey, and a…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - February 21, 2023
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center's Statement on Recent Whale Deaths As our community continues to grapple with the recent surge in whale strandings, many of you have reached out with questions regarding how our work is funded and our role in the…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - February 9, 2023
SEAL-ebrating our first release of 2023! This female Harbor seal stranded in Monmouth Beach on December 28th, suffering from a respiratory infection and a large laceration on her right side. After spending over one month under the expert care of…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - January 30, 2023
We are thrilled to report that our female harbor seal from Monmouth Beach is doing very well under the expert care of our stranding staff, veterinarian, and volunteers! When she was found stranded on December 28th, this little seal was suffering…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - December 28, 2022
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…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - November 29, 2022
For over four decades, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center has been the only organization in New Jersey dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured marine mammals and sea turtles. To date, our staff and volunteers from…
Read More »Marine Mammal Stranding Center Newsletter - November 24, 2022
From all of us at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, we would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! We are very thankful to have so many friends and supporters like YOU who care about marine mammals and sea turtles. Without…
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