The Aquarium’s Marine Animal Rescue Program (MARP) is the beneficiary of many generous gifts—of volunteer time, contributed dollars, and in-kind donations—but perhaps most unconventional are the services of two licensed, private pilots who respond to calls to action in time-critical situations.
Harold and Mary Graul provide MARP with particular and unusual support: air transports that over the years have enabled MARP to release animals in optimal conditions, respond to critical strandings, and participate in aerial population surveys.
The Grauls embrace MARP’s mission and work. They have altered plans, removed seats, and taken out carpet from their aircraft to accommodate animal passengers—in one case, facilitating MARP’s largest multiple seal release.
Turtle Release
In 2002, the Grauls transported staff and four Kemp’s ridley sea turtles to Top Sail Beach, North Carolina. Harold helped load animals and equipment on board, while Mary gathered information about the turtles.
At Top Sail, the animals were placed in pools at a rescue facility for overnight holding in preparation for morning release. Harold and Mary assisted in monitoring the turtles to determine the effects of the trip, learned about other turtles housed at the facility, and joined the five-mile excursion offshore to participate in the release.
Pilot Whale Stranding
In the same year, Harold Graul accompanied the MARP team to Cape Cod in response to a mass stranding of 50 pilot whales. When authorities concluded that the whales could not be saved, there was little that the volunteers could do other than take whale measurements and tissue samples in an effort to learn more about the animals.
Undaunted by the disheartening outcome of the day and realizing the value that would come from examining the whales’ remains, Harold joined the crew, trekking onto the mudflats of Wellfleet Harbor in 100-degree weather to help collect samples.
Volunteer
Bringing their own special talents to the Aquarium and the MARP team, Harold and Mary Graul exemplify the spirit and generosity of the Aquarium’s volunteers. The Grauls’ animal transports have earned them the gratitude of all Aquarium staff and a well-deserved place in the MARP hall of fame!
Volunteers at the Aquarium perform hundreds of different tasks and provide thousands of hours of service that translate into many thousands of dollars—dollars that would otherwise limit numerous Aquarium initiatives.
