Zoo Society to develop SeaLife Center

The Cape May County Zoological Society has commenced a new fundraising initiative for a proposed facility at the zoo dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of sea life in the region, especially marine mammals and sea turtles.

The Jersey Cape SeaLife Center will initially consist of a triage facility for the immediate medical care of stranded seals and other marine animals rescued from the beaches of the cape. According to Bob Schoelkopf, Director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine, most of the mammal rescues are made in Cape May County.

Preliminary plans call for a phased development of the SeaLife center, starting with the triage facility, expanding to rehabilitation tanks and holding areas, and eventually incorporating a seal exhibit for animals that cannot be released back into the ocean. This process is tightly regulated by federal agencies and requirements for holding and displaying animals are very rigorous and costly.

This effort will be supported by an initial grant from the Zoological Society of $25,000. The proposed budget of Phase 1 is $75,000.

It is intended that the triage facility be operational before year's end.

You can contribute to the SeaLife project either via PayPal (please follow-up with an email to let us know the intention of your donation) , or by check ( please indicate SeaLife Center).

Mailing Address:
Cape May County Zoological Society
PO Box 864  
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210

The Cape May County Zoological Society is a private non=profit New Jersey Corporation - 501(c)3 - and contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

For more information contact:
Bill MacQueen, Executive Director, Cape May County Zoological Society
at 609-865-7938.

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