Enjoy!

Please forward to everyone you know. The owner has terminal cancer and can’t care for them anymore, and he’d really like to find a home for them while he’s still able. He’s heartbroken and hopes to find a family who can take both together.

Please e-mail Anne Whyte Mallozzi at fran@boxwoodfarm.com directly for more information.

Details About the Dogs: Black Labs, Male, Adult, Altered. Darling Hunter and Fame are two gorgeous pure-bred labs, brothers, who find themselves needing a new home now that their owner has become too ill to care for them. They are truly wonderful dogs. The owner’s grandchildren can crawl all over them and like a typical lab; they just lay there and love it. Both are neutered, and up to date on their shots. They are housebroken and are very well behaved. They are about 4 years old. They would love to keep these two boys together if possible; they are the best of friends. They live in Redding.

BRIDGEPORT – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, in conjunction with Mystic Aquarium, will hold a training session for new volunteers interested in helping with the state’s marine mammal stranding program. The 2-hour session will take place at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10 at the Zoo’s Hanson Exploration Station, 1875 Noble Ave., in Bridgeport. The training program is free and open to adults 18 or older. Volunteers will learn how to respond to calls from the public to determine if a marine mammal (such as a seal) or sea turtle is in need of assistance and to provide education during the call. People who live near the coast are strongly encouraged to participate. Experience working with marine animals is not required. Registration is requested by contacting Heather Medic, Stranding Coordinator for the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program, at 860-572-5955 ext. 107 or hmedic@mysticaquarium.org.

ABOUT SEALS IN CONNECTICUT

Every year from September through June, seals return to Long Island Sound. In recent years, the population of seals has grown, and more northern species are traveling further south. Seals, unlike other marine mammals, need to come up on land to rest. They can stay on land for days without eating or getting wet, but they are hardly ever given the chance due to public interest and interference. Seals are semi-aquatic animals, which mean they often spend a portion of each day on land. They haul out of the water for a variety of reasons including rest, to give birth, and to shed. While out of the water they will not eat. Seals store enough fat in their blubber layer to allow them to go for extended periods of time without eating.

There are four types of seals seen in southern New England. The regional seals (harbor and gray seals) make Long Island Sound and Rhode Island their home from September through June, sometimes never leaving this area at all. However, the majority of seals do leave the area to breed in their northern territory in the summer months. Most of the seals that people are used to seeing are regional seals, and are often seen off shore hauled out on rocks and sand bars in groups. Harbor and gray seals keep their distance from people and haul-out together in large groups. A regional seal will usually retreat to the water when approached, unless it is a pup.

Since the mid-1990’s two species of ice seals (harp and hooded seals), visit our waters in the winter months. These two species are called” ice seals” because they are from Canada and even further north toward Greenland, where they spend most of their lives on ice floes. Harp and hooded seals can be seen in New England from mid January to early May. Ice seals, including harp seals in particular, are almost always sighted alone in this region and can be found on docks, floating ice, lawns, beaches, and even up rivers.

Harp and hooded seals are social in their northern territory, but they are solitary when hauled out. Ice seals typically are not afraid of people and will not usually retreat to the water when approached. Ice seals can be aggressive. Open-mouth displays and vocalizations are signs that you are too close, and they may bite if they feel threatened.

As the population of ice seals increases, more seals are being observed in this region. The population of harp seals in Canada is over 8 million and growing. Young seals that will not be mating tend to spread out to find new territory when hunting for fish. The harp seal can be seen as far South as Virginia each winter, and last year there were more harp seals seen in Connecticut than in Rhode Island. Each year the number of sighting calls (seals that do not come in for rehabilitation) increase from the year before. Just because there is a seal on land this does not mean that the animal will need to come in for rehabilitation.

In order to provide a quick response to callers’ concerns about marine mammals and sea turtles, people are encouraged to call Mystic Aquarium. Mystic will determine if the animal is in need of medical attention, needs to be moved from a populated area or just needs time to rest. Seals especially are very resilient and usually just need time to rest. Ice seal young are on their own when they are only 12 days old, and our regional seals no longer need to be with their mothers after 5 weeks. Most of the seals that people see are just looking for a place to rest before their next big meal.

All marine mammals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 further protects sea turtles and whales that are endangered. It is illegal to touch, feed, disturb, harass, hunt, capture or kill marine mammals and sea turtles.

ABOUT MYSTIC AQUARIUM & INSTITUTE FOR EXPLORATION

Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration (MAIFE) is the primary responder to both live and dead marine mammal and sea turtle stranding calls. The activities of the Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Stranding Program are focused along the coasts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Fisher’s Island, NY. The Stranding Program covers over 1,000 miles of coast line. Mystic operates with the help of trained volunteers who respond to calls about seals on local beaches.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT’S BEARDSLEY ZOO

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is open year-round and exhibits primarily North and South American animals, including many endangered and threatened species. Highlights include an indoor Tropical Rainforest, New England Farmyard, Alligator Alley aviary, Carousel, Hanson Exploration Station, and Victorian Greenhouse.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit aza.org.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Robin DeMattia
PR Coordinator
email ctzoopr@aol.com
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Gregg Dancho
Zoo Director
email gdancho@beardsleyzoo.org
phone 203-394-6575