Animals released with tracking devices (click on each photo to see tracking maps).
Sunny Released 10/31/04
Kitty Released 12/29/04
Rocky Released 4/13/05
Valentina Released 2/18/06
Fuzz Released 4/06
Morty Released 4/06
Gatsby Released 5/6/06
Ringy Released 6/15/06
Mooch Released 6/17/07
Titan Released 7/5/06
Bruiser Released 8/3/06
Surf Released 4/22/07
Teigan Released 5/12/07
Oreo Released 5/14/07
Orville Released 7/10/07
Freebird Released 7/28/07
Bluff Released 9/22/07
Thor Released 9/25/07
Splash Released 10/6/07
Tarragon Released 10/6/07
Sparky Released 11/5/07
Seabreeze Released 11/12/07
Slimer Released 3/13/08
Venkman Released 3/22/08
Fuzzy Released 4/5/08
Cindy Released 5/3/08
AJ Released 5/17/08
Lily Released 6/7/08
Geri Released 6/28/08
Hazel Released 7/12/08
Louie Released 8/16/08
Digit Released 9/10/08
Huey Released 9/13/08
Sarge Released 9/17/08
Timbo Released 9/18/08
Anna Released 9/20/08
Zippy Released 8/26/08
Annette Released 9/30/08
Fang Released 11/22/08
Cocoa Released 1/31/09
Cinnamon Released 2/7/09
Bam Bam Released 5/23/09
Maney Released 6/13/09
Shadow Released 6/15/09
Rose Released 7/18/09
Atlas Released 7/18/09
Herb Released 7/25/09
Jupiter Released 7/28/09
Nutmeg Released 9/7/09
Harp seal Relocated 2/3/10
Sally Released 5/2/10
Jessie Released 5/4/10
Scraggy Released 6/11/10
Bubbles Released 7/21/10
Blizzard Released 9/11/10
Victoria Released 10/17/10
Arizona Released 3/13/11
Spear Released 6/10/11
Kiera Released 6/28/11
Zkittles Released 7/15/11
Michael Released 8/6/11
Wally Released 8/16/11
Atlantis Released 8/25/11
Bart Released 2/5/12
Scout Released4/19/12
Edna Released 6/4/12
Squirt Released 7/10/12
Sherman Released 7/21/12
Stitch Released 3/9/13
Sunny Released 4/15/13
Noodle Released 4/27/13
Roscoe the Sea Lion Released 5/9/13
Scar Released 5/18/13
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
NOAA Fisheries and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Partnership Awarded a Right Whale Grant to the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation.
"Aerial Survey for Marine Mammals in the New York Bight" -- award of $226,545 to the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program to conduct aerial surveys to monitor large whales in the New York Bight and east Block Island. Due to the large territory of the whales, the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program hopes to increase the efforts of aerial surveys in order to produce more accurate information for management. Whales will be surveyed on a bi-monthly basis, weather permitting, with flight time of four to seven hours. New York State will work in partnership with the Riverhead Foundation to coordinate and provide support to National Marine Fisheries Service in locating and verifying sighting reports, and the location of animals floating offshore in the region.
The Riverhead Foundation is currently conducting the following research projects:
Marine mammal and sea turtle population abundance surveys in New York state waters. These surveys are land, ship, and aerial based.
Satellite tracking of rehabilitated seals to assess current treatment protocols.
Satellite tracking and genetic studies on arctic seals with an emphasis on the movements and stock structure of harp seals.
Radio tracking of harbor seals to identify habitat utilization.
Diet composition of harp seals.
The Riverhead Foundation is also working with Wildlife Trust and Cornell Cooperative Extension on health assessment of sea turtles cought in pound nets in New York State waters.
RESEARCH
The staff of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation and the New York State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program have conducted a number of research projects designed to examine the biology and ecology of the marine environment in New York's waters. Our facility is a major focal point in the Northeast for studies involving data and tissue collection of marine mammals and sea turtles. Accomplishments and discoveries of the NY State Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program and the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research & Preservation include:
Confirmation of at least 25 cetacean ( whale and dolphin ) species in the NY region.
Advancement of critical care treatment protocols for cold stunned sea turtles including the critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles.
Confirmation of near shore sightings of the critically endangered Northern right whale.
In addition to tissue and data collection on stranded marine mammals and sea turtles, the Riverhead Foundation is also conducting an extensive marine mammal and sea turtle abundance study throughout the coastal waters of NY State
The Foundation is utilizing education to promote the public's involvement in our data collection (refer to sighting form). In addition, biologists from the Riverhead Foundation are conducting aerial, shipboard, and land-based surveys to assess abundance and movements of marine mammals and sea turtles throughout the NY region. Data will be analized to established baseline abundance levels of marine mammals and sea turtles in the NY area. It can then be used by agencies such as National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and the Riverhead Foundation as a basis for regulatory decisions regarding management parameters, strandings and rehabilitation efforts, and public conservation and education. Preliminary results of surveys have shown that New York is home to hundreds of harbor seals each winter. These seals haul out regularly in Hempstead bay, Plum Island, Fisher's Island, Great Gull Island, Little Gull Island, and several other locations along both the north and south shores (see map).
To report the sighting of a healthy marine mammal or sea turtle, please refer to the printable sighting form on this web site, or call the Riverhead Foundation at (631) 369-9840 ext. 15.
To report the stranding of a sick, injured, or dead marine mammal or sea turtle, please call the 24-hour stranding hotline at (631) 369-9829.
