SPEAKER SERIES – Mystic Aquarium: Marine Mammal and Turtle Rescue

Sarah Callan, Manager of the Animal Rescue Program at Mystic Aquarium, presented at the Library July 8, 20205 on how Mystic Aquarium’s ARP responds to marine mammals and sea turtles in the Long Island and Fishers Island Sound.

Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program (ARP) responds to marine mammals and sea turtles along the coastline of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Fisher’s Island, New York. As a primarily volunteer-based program, each year, the team responds to over 200 marine mammals and an average of 20 sea turtles affected by threats such as entanglement, vessel strikes, harassment, and disease. As climate change and human activity are increasingly impacting marine ecosystems, the ARP plays a vital role in monitoring, rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing affected animals. The program also conducts public outreach and education to promote ocean conservation and inspire community stewardship. Through rescue efforts and scientific research, the ARP contributes to a broader understanding of marine animal health and the environmental challenges these species face, supporting efforts to protect ocean biodiversity and ecosystem balance.

Sarah Callan is the Manager of the Animal Rescue Program at Mystic Aquarium. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from St. Lawrence University in 2008, with double minors in Educational Studies and Communication & Performance Arts. After graduation, Sarah moved to Queensland, Australia, where she played a season in the Australian Women’s Ice Hockey League. In her spare time, she surfed and volunteered at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Veterinary Hospital, helping rehabilitate native wildlife. Her passion for marine life led her to Oahu, Hawaii, where she worked at the Waikiki Aquarium, caring for endangered Hawaiian monk seals and a variety of marine species. She later joined NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Health and Disease Program, continuing her work in marine mammal response and research. One of her most memorable experiences was spending four months on remote Laysan Island—1,200 miles from civilization—conducting population assessments, field responses, and behavioral studies on Hawaiian monk seals. There, she witnessed the devastating impacts of marine debris on local wildlife in the heart of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In 2016, Sarah accepted her dream role at Mystic Aquarium, overseeing marine mammal and sea turtle response along the coasts of Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Fisher’s Island, New York. As environmental conditions rapidly evolve, she remains committed to protecting ocean habitats and giving a voice to stranded marine animals. Sarah couldn’t feel more grateful to work closely with her dedicated team of over 600 volunteers and the local community to protect the ocean habitat and inspire people to take action towards marine conservation.