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Friday, January 9, 2015

Mystic Aquarium is looking for “first responders” to help its Marine Animal Program

Mystic will offer free training to people who want to help save stranded marine animals.
By Will Collette
Seal release at Blue Shutters Beach (photo by Will Collette)
Charlestown’s beaches are one of the preferred places for the Mystic Aquarium’s Marine Mammal program to release seals and other marine animals it has rescued and rehabilitated.

But since they are rarely the first to find such stranded animals, they count on the public to act responsibly and contact them rather than try to handle the animal themselves. That’s what Todd Giroux, one of this year’s candidates for Governor, did and it was an object lesson for what not to do.

But Mystic is also looking to train more volunteers along the southern Rhode Island coastline to be first responders who know what to do.

From the Mystic Aquarium:



Sign-up to be a First Responder for Mystic Aquariums Stranding Program! Class will include a basic Mystic Aquarium orientation and initial training to join the Animal Rescue Team. 

First Responders are typically the first set of eyes and ears in the field assessing reports of marine mammals and sea turtles for Connecticut, Rhode Island and Fishers Island, NY. 

This class is FREE to anyone interested who is 18 years or older. No prior training required.

Jan. 21, 2015 at Sachuest Point Visitor Center, RI

Sachuest Point Visitor Center
305 Sachuest Point Rd, Middletown, RI 02842
6:00 - 8:00pm

For more location information please visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=53543

Jan. 27, 2015 at Mystic Aquarium, Mystic CT

Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355
6:00 - 8:00pm

For more location information please visit www.mysticaquarium.org

*2nd Date: Feb 3, 2015 at Mystic Aquarium, CT

Mystic Aquarium
55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355
6:00 - 8:00pm

For more location information please visit www.mysticaquarium.org

January 29th 2015 at Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk CT

Maritime Aquarium
10 North Water Street Norwalk, CT 06854
6:00 - 8:00pm

For more location information please visit www.maritimeaquarium.org