Q: What is a First
Responder?
A: Just as it sounds - they are the first to respond to
any reports of stranded marine animals, dead or alive. Our First
Responders are located throughout our coverage area (which spans over
1,000 miles between CT, RI and Fisher's Island, NY) and are able to
get to beaches faster than our teams here at the Aquarium.
Q: How do First Responders
help the Animal Rescue Team?
A: They actually help the animals more than the team. Being
the first line of response, they help to speed up the response time
after a report has been called in to the hotline. First Responders
are the catalyst to ensuring a stranded animal receives the proper
attention in the most timely fashion.
Q: How does the work done at
Animal Rescue Clinic make a difference?
A: What we're doing at the Animal
Rescue Clinic is what we do best at Mystic Aquarium, and that's
helping animals in need. We have the resources to make a difference
in the lives of each marine animal that comes to us injured or ill
and we always do whatever we can to help conserve natural
populations.
Q: What is most rewarding
about working with the Animal Rescue Team?
A: For me, it's working during harbor seal pup season.
These pups come to us when they're 1 to 2 days old because mom has
abandoned them for whatever reason. Caring for an animal that
otherwise couldn't fend for itself is the ultimate responsibility.
But when release day comes, and you're watching a once helpless
animal return to it's natural environment, that is the greatest
reward.
Q: How
can I become a First Responder for my area?
A: Take our First Responder Training course! Just click
the button above to find a training course near you.
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