Get an inside look at the New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead as it opens its doors for tours
Photo courtesy of New York Marine Rescue Center
If your kid (or you!) has ever wondered what it’s like to rescue and rehab marine life, now is your chance to find out with this inside look at a real operating marine rescue hospital.
The New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC), located on the Long Island Aquarium property in Riverhead, is now offering “behind the scenes” educational tours to the public.
“During the tours, guests can learn about NYMRC's rescue and rehabilitation efforts as well as any in-house patients currently under care,” Maxine Montello, Executive Director of New York Marine Rescue Center, shared. “In addition, guests get to see the entire hospital, including the treatment room where all admitted physicals are performed, the lab where water quality and blood analysis are conducted, and the 20+ rehab tanks we have in-house. Throughout the tour, guests learn about threats to our marine mammal and sea turtle populations and the research that NYMRC is conducting to help mitigate these threats.”
Hoping you’ll get an up-close look at some of the currently cared for animals? You’re in luck!
“All stable animals will be viewable during the tour,” Maxine added. “Right now, we have 40 sea turtles in-house and two seals. Over the next few months, more seals will be admitted. Often, sea turtles are at our facility for six to nine months, while seals stay for a shorter period of time, six to eight weeks.”
“As a small not-for-profit, it is our mission to educate the public on these important animals. One of the best ways for us to spread this knowledge is to show off all the hard work this team puts in daily and meet the patients at our hospital. Many people are unaware of our efforts or that marine mammals and sea turtles can be found here in New York. It is our goal to increase the public's general awareness and hope they remember this experience for a lifetime.”
New York Marine Rescue Center has been dedicated to the preservation and conservation of marine mammals and sea turtles for nearly 30 years, rescuing sea turtles, seals, and small cetaceans (small whales, dolphins, and porpoises) and providing rehab for sea turtles and seals.
Photo courtesy of New York Marine Rescue Center
NYMRC is the primary responder for any sick or injured marine mammal and sea turtle for the entire state of New York and maintains one of the largest seal and sea turtle hospitals in the Greater Atlantic Region.
“Both groups of species that we rescue are federally protected under the Endangered Species Act (sea turtles) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. As the primary organization for NYS, it is our responsibility to help save these critical species. Many of these animals strand due to human-related issues, including entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris, vessel interaction, and ingestion of pollution,” Maxine told us.
NYMRC tours are open to people of all ages and cost $30/adult, $12/child under 12, and $18/student with a valid ID, and can be booked through Airbnb. If a requested tour date and time are not listed on Airbnb, email education@nymarinerescue.org for assistance.
Maxine shared that “tours are all age-friendly, but based on the height of our tanks, it is more enjoyable for kids 5+. We can accommodate groups of up to 20 people and are able to alter the tour for higher educational institutes, younger grades, or even mixed age groups.”
Can’t make a tour? You can still support NYMRC’s cause through its website with general donations and adoption options.
“Adopting an animal helps support the care of the animal while they are at NYMRC,” said Maxine.
Learn more about New York Marine Rescue Center here.