News & Press
This page includes news, press mentions, and updates from NMLC’s history and ongoing work.
As part of the website update, we are preserving older content for reference while making room for future updates. Some archived links may reflect past programs, events, or priorities.
Meet the Diamondback Terrapin: Massachusetts’ Salt Marsh Turtle
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is the only turtle in Massachusetts that is predominantly found in salt marshes and estuaries. In Massachusetts, the northern diamond-backed terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) is…
Meet the Northern Red-Bellied Cooter: An Endangered Turtle Getting a Head Start
(Pseudemys rubriventris) is the largest basking turtle in Massachusetts. The only larger freshwater turtle is the common snapping turtle. An adult Northern Red-bellied Cooter shell length ranges from 10-13 inches,…
Meet Daisy and Victor: NMLC’s Box Turtle Ambassadors
Daisy and Victor are permanent residents at NMLC after previously being kept illegally as part of the wildlife trade. Because they were housed with turtle species from around the world—and…
Amazing Seal Adaptations
I am one of the interns working at the NMLC this summer, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity of assisting in the rehabilitation of fascinating marine and aquatic…
U.S. Geological Survey Manatee Captures and Health Assessments
Back in December, NMLC Animal Care Staff was privileged to have to opportunity to assist the U.S. Geological Survey with their winter manatee captures and health assessments in Crystal River,…
AmeriCorps Continuing to Serve at NMLC
Hi! My name is Nicole Orzechowski. I am a member of AmeriCorps Cape Cod serving at the National Marine Life Center two days a week. AmeriCorps is a federally funded organization…
Greetings from Costa Rica!
Greetings from Parismina, Costa Rica! It has been an amazing first week here on the Caribbean coast. I am currently volunteering at a sea turtle conservation program through the International…
Saving Salty
On June 15th we admitted one of our most critical patients in NMLC history – Salted Caramel, otherwise known as “Salty.” Salty was initially rescued by our colleagues at the…
NMLC supporters go Arctic with plunge into Onset Bay
Frank Mulligan Wicked Local ONSET – National Marine Life Center supporters showed their support for Arctic seals by going a little Arctic themselves Sunday. About 50 intrepid souls participated in the NMLC’s first Arctic…
Funds raised for injured seals at Arctic Seal Plunge
Gillian English news@warehamweek.com Feb 27, 2022 Five cartons of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and hot chocolate awaited those who showed up on Sunday morning, Feb. 27, at the Onset Bay Center,…
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- January 2022 Answer
This parasite is Stenurus minor! Most often found in the cranial sinuses and lungs, it is likely that cranial sinuses are the definitive site for adult parasites to grow and thrive. S. minor infects…
Marine Mammal Parasite of the Month- January 2022
This parasite is a lungworm and earworm in the family Pseudaliidae and it is the most common parasite in the ear of harbor porpoises in the Gulf of St. Lawrence,…
Remembering Owls Head
Historically harbor seal pup season has always been the busiest, most demanding season for the NMLC animal care team both physically and emotionally. It requires our team to be here round the clock, to serve as surrogates as these abandoned pups must now learn all of their critical survival skills from us without becoming habituated, and due to the fragility of these animals, the team has to be ready for anything- including death.
Patient Update: January 21, 2021
Since our most recent blog post in November, a lot has been going on here at NMLC! We’ve been kept busy by a record-breaking sea turtle stranding season here on…
The Natural History, Biology, and Conservation of Loggerhead Sea Turtles
The Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world (National Geographic). It is found in warm temperate and subtropical waters throughout the Mediterranean Sea…
Heartworm in Phocids
Phocids, also known as earless seals or true seals, are common coastal marine mammals. Since 1972, seals have been protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are cared for…