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health of marine mammals and sea turtles in the world.”
Sadly, the greatest threat to marine life and one of the main
reasons they end up at the MMSC is trash and pollution.
Plastic bags, fishing-line, cigarette butts, balloons, and
plastic beverage rings have injured or killed countless
marine animals, an epidemic that is so easily prevented.
Occasionally, the MMSC will receive an animal that is
not able to be released back into the wild. Meet Ziggy, a
little grey seal that washed up in Longport. Ziggy had an
infection and was partially paralyzed. Unable to return to
the wild, Ziggy remained at the MMSC for five months and
then moved to the Albuquerque Bio-Park in New Mexico.
There, this little seal could swim free in the 350,000-gallon
tank, with several harbor seals and sea lions. Despite a
few situations like Ziggy’s, after 35 years in operation, the
Marina Mammal Stranding Center boasts a rehabilitation
success rate of 90%.
However, financially speaking, this has not been an easy
road. One year in operation costs roughly $650,000. This
budget includes: the salaries of the four full-time employees,
$16,000 for animal food, $35,000 for medical care,
laboratory expenses, mechanical maintenance, insurance
for two boats and four transportation vehicles, the cost
to perform rescues, and mechanical maintenance for the
center.
Furthermore, federal budget cuts and Hurricane Sandy
have added to the center’s operational expense. Sandy’s
strength damaged a state-of-the-art animal over-flow tent,
two storage sheds filled with maintenance equipment,
the tent storage unit for the zodiac rescue boat, and the
generator that kept the center operational during the storm
and maintained the life-support systems for the rescued
animals. Consequently, the financial outcome of the center
is uncertain.
“How we keep money coming in every month is a challenge,”
according to Schoelkopf. “We are very careful in how we
spend the money, where we use it, where we look for grants
and private donations and bequeathments that help us quite
a bit. But we can never count on that because we don’t know
what’s coming in or the number or volume of animals that
are going to be alive versus dead.”
When forced to consider what the impact would be if the
MMSC were to close, Schoelkopf stated that there, “would
be a lot of animals lying on the beach slowly dying or
people deciding that they would take the animals home for
treatment to have them die there and the people get bit
in the process.” This is a dangerous prospect for both the
sea life and the people who may come into contact with
these injured animals. Although these animals look cute and
cuddly, they are anything but—the seals in particular. When
a seal is injured and stranded on the beach, it is important
to remember that they too are very scared. As such, it is
likely that this animal will bite and cause damage to those
who may try to approach it. Furthermore, these animals
may be sick and could easily spread diseases. The MMSC
recommends that if an injured animal is spotted, one should
keep a fifty-foot distance and then immediately call the
MMSC.
Despite the difficult financial situation, the Marine Mammal
Stranding Center, including only four employees and 1800
miles of shoreline to monitor, continues to operate and
continues to save the lives of thousands of animals.
“Volunteers are the center” according to Schoelkopf. “We
need those people.” Volunteers support the Marine Mammal
Stranding Center in a number of ways. When a stranded
animal is called into the MMSC by either the Coast Guard or
a Police department, the first thing the center does is pull
up their volunteer list and call the people that live within 15
minutes of the stranding area. The volunteer will respond,
block off the area around the animal, take pictures, and
report back to the MMSC. With this information, the MMSC
is able to respond with the haste and efficiency that each
animal deserves.
Volunteers also support the center through donations and
time. Volunteers like Ken Schaeffer, an account executive
and evening host on WIBG, Wibbage FM 94.3, who also
happens to be the newest board member to join the Marine
Mammal Stranding Center. For Ken it was an easy decision,
“I’ve owned property in Brigantine since 1987 and have been
a full-time resident since 2003. I always admired and visited
the MMSC, and I’ve owned and given many of their famous
Seal Sweatshirts as gifts over the years as my small way of
supporting the center! Little did I know that I would someday
become involved as a member of their Board of Directors.
My background is in promotions and entertainment. I am
in the Media business as an advertising sales consultant
and an on-air radio host and my love of animals, combined
with my career, made this decision an easy one. When Bob
[Schoelkopf] asked if I would consider joining the board
of directors, I was honored. It was a natural fit for me. I’ve
been active in dog rescue for several years, assisting Beacon
Animal Rescue, West Jersey Volunteers for Animals and
also participating in private rescue, finding homes for local,
senior dogs in need and many Southern dogs in danger.
It’s great to facilitate an adoption and see a dog ultimately
placed in a happy, loving home when their fate was so
uncertain. Extending my passion to helping wild animals,
particularly the beautiful mammals that grace our area, is
a pleasure and a labor of love. I truly enjoy helping with the
fundraising as it helps these beautiful mammals
(From left to right) Ken Schaffer, board member and chairman of
the fundraising/events committee; Danielle Gomes, of Boardwalk
Journal and volunteer on our fundraising/events committee; and
Bob Schoelkopf, founding member and Operations director at MMSC.
The Boardwalk Journal | April 2013 | 51