Community Corner
Cell Phones Saving Seals
With increased technology, access to email and phone service is ubiquitous. And the quick access to information is helping wildlife rescue personnel save time and more lives.
The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation has found a new lifeline in its mission to save distressed wildlife: technology. The group said cell phones are helping to assess situations involving injured seals found on the beach.
Last week, The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation received a call from a beachgoer about an injured seal on Westhampton’s Rodgers Beach. In years past, the caller would give a brief description of the animal and its location and an emergency response coordinator would need to make a trip out to assess the situation-only to find out the seal was not injured, but only an tired seal pup resting on the beach.
Now, due to increased cell service, email and photo capabilities, technology is helping The Riverhead Foundation help more injured animals, by saving time and resources.
Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“We have one vehicle which is out in the field responding to calls,” explained Kim Durham, the foundation’s, Rescue Program Director, “sending a photo of the animal helps to prioritize emergency cases.”
According to Durham, this year, an increased number of stranded seals have been adult Harp seals.
Find out what's happening in Westhampton-Hampton Bayswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Typically known to inhabit the colder Canadian waters, the adult Harp seals are most likely moving into Long Island waters in search of food or due to environmental issues.
There was an adult harp seal reported on Westhampton beach earlier in the month and the caller sent photos, said Durham. She added that during the initial phone interview, the foundation learned that the animal was fairly active and the foundation decided not send a biologist to the beach.
“This February, we started getting increased reports from all over about larger, black and white adult Harp seals,” said Durham. “Now, there is a little more concern because the animals are not looking as robust. They might not be able to find the food they need to survive down here.”
If pedestrians come across a seal along the beach, Durham advises that they keep a safe distance and call the foundation’s emergency hotline.
“What is extremely helpful is a photo of the animal,” said Durham. “With new phone technology, you call the emergency line, as well as send us a photo of the sighting. It helps us better assess the animal.”
In case of a stranded seal sighting or emergency call the 24-hour Stranding Hotline at 631-369-9829. To send photos of seal sightings email sightings@Riverheadfoudation.org.
