Apr 3, 2008 10:17 pm US/Eastern
Number Of Marine Mammals Stranded In N.J. Grows
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Marine experts are trying to determine why an increasing number of marine animals are ending up stranded on the Jersey shore.
Officials with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center have been documenting marine mammal and sea turtle strandings on the Jersey Coast since 1975.
Ocean County has had the highest number of recorded strandings with 1011, followed by Cape May, Monmouth, and Atlantic Counties respectively.
Officials believe global warming has partially led to increasing numbers of strandings, as many of the animals are traveling south from icy northern waters.
"We've had such a mild winter that it brings more of the animals in," said Bob Schoelkoph of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
The center says overfishing and overpopulation also contributes to the growing numbers of wayward creatures.
Currently the Center is caring for 13 animals, including several seals that have fallen victim to shark attacks.
If you spot a stranded marine mammal, don't hesitate to call the Stranding Center Hotline at 609-266-0538. If a stranded seal does not get care within 24-48 hours, officials said it could be too late.
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