Volunteer for MERR Dolphin Count July 20th

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The Annual MERR Dolphin Count will take place on Saturday, July 20th from 9 to 11am. The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute is looking for volunteers to help with the count – they’ll be stationed at a variety of observation points from Fenwick Island to Woodland Beach in Delaware. This count helps to determine…

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UPDATED: Fin Whale Beached North of Indian River Inlet

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Sunday morning a fin whale beached on the shore just north of the Indian River Inlet. Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute (MERR) officials are investigating but tell the Talk of Delmarva that it’s about 50′ 3” long and severely emaciated and they are doing what they can to minimize its suffering. Additional information from…

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Several Seal Pups Rescued by MERR Recently

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The MERR Institute has responded to several very young seal pups along the shore in recent days – pups young enough that they can’t forage for food independently. MERR officials will provide adequate hydration and nutritional support until they are old enough to feed on their own. They’ll also be examined to determine any underlying…

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MERR Rescues Sea Turtle Snagged by Fishing Hook

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Suzanne Thurman from the MERR Institute says her organization helped save this Kemp’s ridley sea turtle in Slaughter Beach who got caught by a fishing hook last week. The fisherman took the turtle to the Dupont Nature Center which got in touch with MERR. The turtle actually ingested the hook, so it required surgery for removal which was performed…

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MERR to the Rescue of Stranded Horseshoe Crabs

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The MERR Institute was called to help rescue of a huge number of horseshoe crabs in the Rehoboth Bay and Arnell Creek near Rehoboth Beach. Director of MERR, Suzanne Thurman, says the crabs were likely looking for a beach-like area to spawn and crossed a road and got stuck in dense patches of phragmites. Recent…

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MERR Dolphin Count Scheduled For Sat. July 16th

Photo courtesy of MERR Institute (dolphin count)
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If you are interested in spending two hours counting dolphins, you may want to mark Saturday, July 16th on your calendar. That is the date of the annual MERR Institute (Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute) dolphin count. Volunteers will be stationed at designated observation points between Fenwick Island and Woodland Beach. For more information,…

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MERR Institute Treats Rescued Seal Pup

A male seal pup was rescued April 19th in the area of Gordon's Pond (photo courtesy of MERR Institute)
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A gray seal pup has been rescued from the Gordon’s Pond area. According to the Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute, the male seal was found to be underweight and with bite wounds on Monday. Otherwise, the pup is described as ‘alert and feisty’ at the time. The MERR Institute is still evaluating the seal,…

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Rescued Seal Pup Returns To The Ocean

Rehabbed seal Eloise is released in Assateague State Park | April 7, 2021 Courtesy of Theresa Keil, National Aquarium.”
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Eloise, a grey seal pup rescued at Cape Henlopen, has been released back into the ocean at Assateague State Park. The seal was rehabilitated at the National Aquarium Animal Care and Rescue Center over 42 days. She was found to be malnourished and with a few cuts on her neck. Eliose was trained how to…

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Gray Seal Pup Rescued, Rehabilitated, Released

Photo courtesy of MERR Institute
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As spring begins, Lewes-based Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute has been responding to several seal rescues. A gray seal pup was found on the South Bethany Beach over the weekend and was determined to be under-nourished. After receiving treatment, the pup named Maxwell was released at a beach along Delaware Bay. “This young seal…

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Ailing Seal Pup Rescued by MERR at Cape Henlopen State Park

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The Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation (MERR) Institute responded to a very young gray seal pup on Friday, Feb. 12, near the great dune at Cape Henlopen State Park. The pup, who is only about 3 weeks old and still very small, was huddled up against the dune when she was spotted by a beach…

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Rescued Seal Pippi Is Back In The Ocean

Seal Release | Pippi Longstocking | November 11, 2020
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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…

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MERR Needs Your Help with Annual Dolphin Count

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How would you like to sit on the beach for a couple of hours – and help out the MERR Institute by counting dolphins? The Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute is looking for counters to sit at predesignated points from Fenwick Island to Woodland Beach on Saturday, July 20 from 9 to 11am. Volunteers…

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MERR Investigates 4 Dolphin and 3 Sea Turtle Deaths

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It’s been a busy week for MERR Institute volunteers. Suzanne Thurman, executive director, says her organization has investigated the deaths of four bottlenose dolphins and two loggerhead sea turtles last week. This is one of the loggerheads which was discovered early Sunday in Dewey’s surf by Tony Crivella of Dewey Beach Beautification & Raking. Thurman said this loggerhead…

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Dead Dolphin Washes to Shore off Rehoboth Avenue

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One of several dolphin deaths investigated by the MERR Institute this past week. The remains of a dolphin calf came ashore around 4:15 p.m. this past Saturday just south of Rehoboth Avenue. Suzanne Thurman, executive director of the MERR Institute, said the calf was “Fairly decomposed so some of the clues were obliterated. It had some…

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11 Dead Dolphins in Past 12 Days

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As of Memorial Day, Suzanne Thurman, MERR Institute executive director, says her organization has investigated the deaths of 11 dolphins in the past 12 days. “It is an uptick,” she said. “A few calves which is typical for this time of year, but that’s a lot of adults,” she pointed out. One of the 11…

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Seals come to Delmarva beaches, people asked to keep distance

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Seals are making their way to Delmarva shores; sightings of harbor seals reported in the past week on Assateague Island, at Ocean City, and in Delaware. While it may be tempting to approach the seals, officials with MERR Institute say its best to keep at least 150 feet away from any seals you see on…

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