MERR to offer free S’more Seals talks starting Jan. 3
As the winter months take hold along the Delaware shores, the temperature change signifies the arrival of some of MERR’s favorite visitors – the seals that arrive to feed, mate and rest along the coastline.
S’more Seals is a free weekly opportunity to learn all about local seal colonies, enjoy hot, fireside-inspired beverages, and take in the waterfront beauty of the Delaware Bay with naturalists from the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute.
Where do these seals come from? Where are they going? What’s it like working with them? And what does MERR do when called out on a seal response? All these questions and more will be answered during weekly hour-long S’More Seals sessions around the firepit at Grain on the Rocks in Lewes.
“These informal fireside chats give us the opportunity to share information with the public in a fun, engaging atmosphere while providing them a glimpse into the world of our local seal colony and what a critical time it is for them while here,” said MERR Executive Director Suzanne Thurman.
MERR representatives will provide visuals, artifacts and discussions of their role in the protection of these amazing marine mammals.
The S’more Seals talks are scheduled immediately following the MERR Seal Tours, but attendees don’t have to be tour participants to take in the sessions.
“We are so very fortunate to have such a picturesque environment in which to provide these chats,” Thurman said. “And we are very fortunate that the seals chose this area as their winter home so that we can have an opportunity to share our passion for them with the public.”
It’s a great excuse to bundle up the whole family, get cozy by the fire, and learn all about the Cape Region’s resident gray and harbor seal populations during S’more Seals sessions on Saturdays.
Given the outdoor setting for the chats, dates are subject to change based on weather conditions. A list of scheduled dates and times for sessions is available on MERR’s Facebook page, where any cancellations will be posted if necessary.
If a member of the public encounters a seal resting on the beach or elsewhere, they should call MERR immediately at 302-228-5029, and keep a distance of 150 feet away. Seals typically spend about half their lives on land, and rest is integral to their survival, regardless of age, as females will often go for weeks without consuming food while they are nursing. Approaching them closely can frighten them and add stress, causing them to retreat into the water without the necessary rest.
