DNREC’s Brandywine Zoo Welcomes Baby Crowned Lemur

The birth of a Crowned lemur at the Brandywine Zoo is welcome news for this globally endangered species. DNREC/Linnea Hummel photo

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Brandywine Zoo are excited to announce its newest addition, a baby Crowned lemur, which recently was welcomed into the zoo. The lemur baby was born to Sophie and Kipp, Crowned lemurs that came to and were paired at the Brandywine Zoo in October 2020 as part of an Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). This is the second SSP birth from a breeding pair at the zoo this summer – a Southern pudu fawn was welcomed in July.

The lemur baby born at the Brandywine Zoo is a significant contribution to the Crowned lemur population in North America. This birth brings the total number of Crowned lemurs in AZA institutions nationally to 35, which includes the Brandywine Zoo’s recent arrival as the only crowned lemur baby born this year. SSPs are conservation breeding programs where vulnerable species in human care are optimally matched for genetic diversity to increase the population. Kipp was born at the Duke Lemur Center in 2016, while Sophie was born at Zoo Atlanta in 2018.

Crowned lemurs are an endangered species and their population is in decline. They are threatened by deforestation and habitat loss caused by other land use conversion, such as charcoal production and mining for sapphires and gold; the illegal pet trade; and hunting for bushmeat.

The Brandywine Zoo is one of only 12 locations in North America where Crowned lemurs can be viewed by the public. Sophie and Kipp joined two other species of lemurs – the Black and White Ruffed and Ring-Tailed lemurs – and Radiated tortoises when the zoo’s Madagascar exhibit opened in 2020. That new exhibit is part of the Brandywine Zoo’s master plan, which focuses on improved animal welfare and guest experiences, species of conservation concern and the inclusion of more mixed species exhibits. In addition to the Madagascar habitat, the master plan includes the already-completed condor viewing area, honeybee display and play area, goat barnyard experience and Animal Care Center.

Sophie and her baby are not yet on exhibit at the zoo and won’t be for some time – probably into the fall. Staff are closely monitoring Sophie and her as yet unnamed infant and will be able to identify the newborn’s sex and weight once the infant is old enough to venture away from its mother.

A name for the baby lemur will be chosen soon. Check the Delaware State Parks and Brandywine Zoo Facebook pages for updates as the baby progresses.

The Brandywine Zoo is managed by the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation with support by its non-profit partner, the Delaware Zoological Society (DZS). DZS supports the mission of the Brandywine Zoo and is raising funds for more upgrades to the zoo that include updated animal habitats, infrastructure, and guest services. For more information about or to donate to the Our Zoo-Re-imagined Capital Campaign, visit https://brandywinezoo.org/reimagined/ or email Mark Shafer, Delaware Zoological Society executive director, MShafer@brandywinezoo.org

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov or Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov.

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DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Confirms Another State Record Blue Catfish, Caught in the Nanticoke River

Chris Andrews’ night-time fishing trip with friends on the Nanticoke River netted him a state-record 48-pound, 7-ounce blue catfish that eclipsed a Delaware record for the species lasted less than a year. Photo courtesy of Chris Andrews

DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife has confirmed a new state record blue catfish, the fourth state record of the year for the 2023 Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament. The 42.5-inch, 48-pound, 7.2-ounce blue catfish was caught on cut bait earlier this month by Chris Andrews of Bridgeville, while fishing in the Nanticoke River on his personal boat at night with friends who helped him land his massive catch.

“Fishing is a big part of my life – I go out about three times a week, so I guess you’d say I’m an avid fisherman,” said Andrews, noting it was just another quiet end of summer evening on the water – until he felt a strong tug on his line. “I knew it was a big one, just not how big. I got the fish up and close to the boat multiple times, but it would just take off pulling my drag. I had a smaller net than usual, so it took multiple tries (to get it into the boat). After about a 5-minute fight, the fish was landed.”

The record catch was weighed at Taylored Tackle Shop in Seaford and certified by Sgt. Nathan Evans, Delaware Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Police. Andrews’ blue catfish eclipsed the previous state record set in 2022 by James Lord, by only 4 ounces – but as DNREC Fisheries biologist Devon Scott, who recorded Andrews’ catch in the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament, noted, “They’re both behemoth fish.”

A list of all Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament state records is available at the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Delaware Fishing Records.

More information about the Delaware Sport Fishing Tournament and state record fish can be found in the 2023 Delaware Fishing Guide and at de.gov/sportfish. The guide is also available in printed form from the DNREC Fisheries Section, from the Licensing Desk in DNREC’s main office in Dover, and from license agents throughout the state.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 68,000 acres of public land owned or managed by the Division of Fish and Wildlife. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Joanna Wilson, joanna.wilson@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

Nineteen DNREC Programs and Initiatives Set to Participate in UD’s Annual Coast Day

Exhibits, Activities Will Highlight Department’s Work

Nineteen different programs and initiatives spread out across the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control are scheduled to provide outreach, education and activities during the University of Delaware’s annual Coast Day event set for Sunday, Oct. 1.

Coast Day highlights how UD scientists, staff and students are gaining a deeper understanding of ocean environments and helping to serve coastal communities. Coast Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes.

More than 30 different vendors will have exhibits at the event, and another 30 vendors will feature ocean- and coastal-related research.

DNREC’s tent will feature a mixture of informational brochures, educational materials, giveaways and activities. In addition, DNREC’s Coastal Section will announce the winners of the Delaware Ocean and Bay Photo Contest at 11:30 a.m. in the DNREC tent.

“Our Department interacts with Delawareans every day on a range of natural resources and environmental matters, from hunting and fishing licenses to clean water and air, climate change concerns, and our outstanding Delaware state parks system,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Coast Day provides us an opportunity to showcase the work we are doing across all our divisions to ensure the stewardship for and sustainability of our state’s resources now and for future generations.”

DNREC divisions scheduled to participate in Coast Day and their areas of expertise include:

Air Quality

Air Quality Index

Climate, Coastal and Energy

Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative
Climate Action Plan
Clean Transportation – Information on clean transportation initiatives, giveaways, educational materials and activities for children and adults.
Ocean Photo Contest
Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan
Energy Programs
Energy Policy/ Governor’s Energy Advisory Council

DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation

Delaware State Parks, including Cape Henlopen State Park
Fish and Wildlife
Mosquito Control Section
DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center

Waste and Hazardous Substances

Delaware Recycles Initiative
Delaware Brownfields Program

Water

Well permitting and real-world equipment display
Wetlands and Waterways Section Permitting

Watershed Stewardship

Shoreline and Waterway Management Section
Wetland Monitoring and Assessment Program
Nonpoint Source Program
Shellfish and Recreational Water Program

Media Contacts: Jim Lee, JamesW.Lee@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov;

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DNREC Announces Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Weekend to be Held Oct. 13 to 15 at Delaware Seashore State Park

Delaware Becoming an Outdoors-Woman participant Alicia Schmidt scores a bull’s-eye during a BOW archery course. /DNREC photo

BOW Offers Wide Range of Courses from Archery to Surf Fishing to a Managed Deer Hunt; Registration Deadline for Weekend Event is Oct. 3

Delaware Seashore State Park on Delaware’s Atlantic Coast is to be the setting for the 2023 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program the weekend of Oct. 13 to 15, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today, with the park welcoming BOW participants to the three-day program starting Friday, Oct. 13. The 2023 event marks the 24th year Delaware has hosted the program sponsored by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife. Registration opens Wednesday, Sept. 20 and closes Tuesday, Oct. 3.

BOW offers a variety of 3.5-hour and 1.5-hour courses taught by DNREC staff and volunteer instructors, who share their expertise and provide instruction in a safe, supportive and non-competitive atmosphere. The cost of participating in the full BOW weekend is $200, which includes meals and lodging, along with instruction in and use of necessary outdoors equipment and supplies.

As always, BOW participants can choose from a wide range of hands-on courses. This year’s offerings include Saltwater Boat and Surf Fishing, Outdoor Survival Skills, Intro to Archery, Intro to Birding, Cooking Your Catch (fish preparation and cooking), Nature I.D. Hikes, Crabbing, Clamming, Intro to Wildlife Trapping, and others, including Forest Bathing, an eco-therapy known to the Japanese, who popularized it, as “shinrin-yoku” which means “forest bathing” or “taking in the forest atmosphere.”

A specialty course this year at BOW is a mentored crossbow deer hunt, limited to five participants. The course involves learning how to safely use a crossbow and taking part in the mentored hunt in a designated area within Delaware Seashore State Park. Hunt participants are required to have a Delaware hunting license and hunter education certification prior to the event. Each BOW hunter will be partnered during the managed hunt with a mentor from the Delaware Hunter Education Office, to include hunter ed instructors and certified Delaware Master Hunters.

BOW registrations must be received by Tuesday, Oct. 3. More information about Delaware BOW weekend, and including online registration, can be found at de.gov/bow.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Joanna Wilson, Joanna.wilson@delaware.gov

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Teenager Arrested for Attempted Carjacking

A Delaware Natural Resources Police investigation has lead to the arrest of a 16-year-old male of Wilmington, DE, on a charge of attempted carjacking at Bellevue State Park.

On Thursday, Sept. 07, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the main parking lot of Bellevue State Park following 911 calls reporting an attempted carjacking. When officers arrived, they learned that the 67-year-old victim of Wilmington, Del., was approached by a teenage male. The suspect pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded the keys to their vehicle, at which time the victim complied and dropped the keys. The suspect then entered the vehicle, but quickly fled on foot after the victim began yelling for help. Officers from Delaware Natural Resources Police, Delaware State Police and New Castle County Police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. During the investigation, the suspect was found to have been captured on security cameras in the area. These images assisted officers in positively identifying the suspect.

An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect with the following crimes:

Robbery First Degree (Class B Felony)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Class B Felony)
Possess, Purchase, Own or Control a Firearm/Destructive Weapon If Previously Convicted of A Violent Felony (Class C Felony)
Aggravated Menacing (Class E Felony)

On Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, the suspect was located and taken into custody by Wilmington Police officers following a traffic stop. The suspect was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Ferris Juvenile Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Captain John McDerby, john.mcderby@delaware.gov

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