Delaware‘s sandy beaches and pristine walking trails are perfect for a summer getaway, but they’re also home to thousands of animal species that share the land.
Each year, hundreds of seals, turtles, birds and other animals are found on Delaware beaches and trails, some of them seriously injured.
Fortunately, hundreds of expert volunteers and organizations specialize in wildlife rehabilitation and are ready to step in to help.
Here’s how to enjoy the outdoors in Delaware this summer while keeping in mind the creatures that live there and what to do if you come across an injured animal.
Know the rules
Delaware is blessed with thousands of acres of trails and wildlife areas for people to enjoy, but it is important to know the wildlife restrictions before making the trip to avoid inconvenience or, in some cases, a hefty fine.
Between May 1 and September 30, dogs and other animals are not allowed on boardwalks or beaches at any time. Pets are allowed in coastal parks. Stay away from sand dunes in any Delaware state park because they are very fragile and protected by state law.
On beaches, seals are most often found because they naturally come to dry land to rest, even if they are not stranded or injured.
Federal law requires that if a seal, dolphin or sea turtle becomes stranded or rests on the shore, people must stay at least 150 feet away. North Atlantic right whales require a range of 500 yards and other types of whales require a range of 100 to 600 feet. A wildlife professional should be on site to perform crowd control and ensure everyone is maintaining a safe distance.
If you walk on a trail, be careful not to get off and disturb delicate ecosystems. Do not remove any natural elements from the trail and, of course, do not litter.
The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife has an extensive list of what you can and cannot do in state wildlife areas on its website. In state wildlife areas, operating radio-controlled devices such as drones, releasing dogs from their leashes, cutting or removing trees or plants, and more are prohibited. Specific areas also have their own rules, so be sure to check the department’s website when planning a visit.
There are also seven wildlife viewing platforms throughout the state: two in the Augustine Wildlife Area, two in the Woodland Beach Wildlife Area and one in the Little Creek Wildlife Area, one in the Preserve from Mispillion Harbor and one in the Assawoman Wildlife Area.
All of these locations require a Conservation Access Pass, available for purchase as annual passes, three-day passes, or senior lifetime passes. Anyone accessing a wildlife area with a motor vehicle for hunting, bird watching, hiking and other activities must have a pass displayed on the dashboard of their vehicle.
Who to call with an injured animal?
Finding an injured or endangered animal can be helpless and terrifying. Fortunately, there are experts across the state who are equipped to step in and make the necessary rescues.
According to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, stranded animals are typically in a state of stress due to injury or illness, exposure to toxins or pollution, habitat loss, and more.
More information on how to help injured wildlife:What to do if you find baby animals this spring in Delaware
The Lewes Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute has trained 24/7 on-call volunteers and responds to between 250 and 300 calls each year. If you find a dolphin, manatee, whale, sea turtle or, most commonly, a seal, call MERR at 302-228-5029 to report it.
MERR also conducts annual counts of local bottlenose dolphin populations using observations from the public. If you see a dolphin in Delaware waters, you can submit a quick report online.
MERR also accepts volunteers year-round who can help with data collection, educational outreach, response and rescue, and more. For those interested in volunteering, please contact merrinstitute@gmail.com.
The Delaware Council of Wildlife Educators and Rehabilitators is another nonprofit group that cares for sick and injured wild animals and returns them to the wild. They cover the entire state and have three different phone lines for wildlife rehabilitation incidents.
- New Castle County: 302-834-4604
- Kent County: 302-270-9256
- Sussex County: 302-228-1063
If you come across an injured bird, Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research has the region’s experts to help all of your feathered friends. People can bring a bird to the facility located at 170 Possum Hollow Road, near Newark, any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Reward for information about the seal:The seal that died after being found on Fenwick Island had been shot. Reward offered for information
Bird injuries are not always easy to decipher and some birds can be dangerous to interact with. You can contact Tri-State by phone at 302-737-9542, where an assistant can provide advice and possibly send a staff member to the site.
Delaware Natural Resources Police are also on call to report a sick, injured or dead animal.
The Environmental Crimes Unit responds to reports of crimes such as illegal dumping, open burning violations, water quality violations and more. To report a crime to this unit, call 800-662-8802 or text ECUTIP to TIP411 (847411).
Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police may also be called for hunting or boating accidents, illegal hunting or fishing, and other boat safety issues. To make a report with this unit, call 800-523-3336 or text FWTIP to TIP411 (847411).
Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues in Delaware. Contact her at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.
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