Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic

05/10/2026

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day (which is also really Oceans Day) from the Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic crew! Many thanks to COA junior, Lex Foster who prepared these wonderful graphics!

04/20/2026

Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic (COA) will be holding its Spring 2026 Marine Mammal Stranding Response Workshop on Saturday, May 9 from 1:00-around 6:00 p.m. With a theme of "Seals are Moms Too " to coincide with harbor seal pupping time and Mother's Day, it will be in-person only (no zooming) at the McCormick Lecture Hall at COA in Bar Harbor. It is free and we welcome anyone interested in marine mammals, stranding response, etc. To register go to: https://form.jotform.com/261054092207146
If you have any questions, please contact Allied Whale at: 207-288-5644 or email: [email protected]

02/11/2026

Some excellent advice from our stranding partners in New Jersey.

*This photo was taken by our Stranding team responding to a call for a seal in distress a few seasons ago. The pawprints and footprints in the sand tell the story of why this little one was so exhausted. Fortunately, a concerned bystander called us to rescue the seal, who made a full recovery and was able to be returned to the wild.*
Get to know me: "I am very tired, let me explain why. I am a Grey seal, and I was born on an island somewhere between New England and Canada only a few weeks ago. We stay with our mothers for only two weeks, and then we are completely independent and on our own. We follow the fish south, 300 miles or more depending on our birthplace, until we reach New Jersey. I have made this long journey by myself, evading predators and hunting for my own fish. It has been a lot to learn in a short period of time! Did you know that when I dive, my body only sends blood to my heart, lungs, and brain? When I'm done hunting for fish, it is very important that I get lots of rest on land to let my body recover as the rest of my organs go back to work filtering my blood and replenishing my oxygen stores. So now I am very tired, and I have hauled out on this beach to rest and regulate my body temperature before moving on. Before now, I have not had much experience with humans. They are alien to me, standing very tall on two legs and making loud sounds. I have learned that when the humans are around, I must stay vigilant, which makes me even more tired. Sometimes I even have to flee back into the ocean before I am ready because I am so nervous! Also, even though you like to call me cute names like “sea doggo”, I don’t want to be friends with your dogs, we are natural enemies and can hurt each other very badly. I am a carnivore with very sharp teeth to hunt live fish, so I don't need you to try to feed or pet me, I will bite you if you get too close. Please just respect me for who I am- a wild animal trying to survive. Stay at least 150 feet away from me, more if I lift my head and notice you. I am very tired, so just leave me alone to rest, and don’t tell the other humans where I am. If you are concerned about me, please call the MMSC 24-hour hotline (609) 266-0538 and trained Stranding Technicians will check on me. Thank you!"

01/21/2026

College of the Atlantic's Allied Whale is hosting its Winter 2026 Marine Mammal Stranding Workshop on Sunday, February 22 from 1:00 - 5:30 p.m. It will be virtual, using the Zoom platform, it is free and open to everyone. Please join us! Details are below in the poster. Link to register: https://form.jotform.com/260193938197166

11/29/2025

This Black Friday considered doing your holiday shopping with Allied Whale! Not only do we have merch(apparel, jewelry, water bottles, art) we have Adopt-A-Whale! What’s Adopt-A-Whale? You ask. Well, it’s a fantastic program that allows for you to symbolically adopt a humpback or fin whale. You can even adopt mom and calf pairs!
Scan the QR codes and check items of your list this holiday season.
Have a very merry holidays!🐋🎄

06/18/2025

🚨 New paper alert! Southern right whale pregnancies are likely up to 16 months long!
📊 Hormone analysis from baleen plates revealed extended progesterone peaks, reshaping what we know about right whale reproduction and calving cycles.

Implications:
📍Conception likely happens offshore, not near calving grounds.
➡️ Year-round habitat protection is crucial.

🔗 Read more: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.71528

University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute

05/22/2025

Harbor seal pupping season has begun! If you see a seal on the shore, please give them space! Yes they are so adorable but by keeping 150 feet away you will prevent them from feeling stressed. If you are concerned contact Allied Whale or call 1-800-532-5991.