Cape May Point Emerges as Global Hub for Monarch Butterfly Research

Issue #572

January 10, 2026

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

📚 Cape May Point Emerges as Global Hub for Monarch Butterfly Research

👮Mita’s Hotel Vision in Limbo After Rehab Designation Fails to Pass

 🚒Elderly Wildwood Crest Couple Dead in Apparent Murder- Suicide

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Daisy Lane Boutique

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 January 10

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Cape May Point Emerges as Global Hub for Monarch Butterfly Research

Project Monarch, launched in 2021 by the Cape May Point Arts & Science Center (CMPASC) in partnership with Cellular Tracking Technologies (CTT), is now tracking 500 monarch butterflies as they migrate thousands of miles to their overwintering grounds in Mexico. Each butterfly is fitted with an ultralight BluMorpho or Blu+ transmitter, allowing scientists to collect unprecedented real-time data on movement, speed, timing, direction, and habitat use. What started in Cape May Point has expanded into a global effort involving more than 26 collaborators across the United States, Canada, Cuba, and Mexico. Researchers from some of the most established monarch study programs are now contributing to a shared dataset that will be published collectively. CTT has refined its tagging methods over the past three years, safely attaching transmitters using a lightweight adhesive before releasing the butterflies back into the wild. The first year saw 75 monarchs tagged, followed by 200 in the second year. This season marked a major leap forward, with 500 butterflies tagged across North America and the Caribbean. Early data has already revealed surprising migration patterns, including monarchs traveling directly across large bodies of water such as Lake Erie before funneling through the Midwest. The data being gathered is expected to inform conservation strategies, helping scientists and policymakers identify critical habitats and migration corridors essential to restoring declining monarch populations. Beyond research, Project Monarch also aims to engage the public through a mobile app that allows users to follow tagged butterflies as the data streams in live. With roots firmly planted in Cape May Point, Project Monarch continues a long tradition of monarch research in the region. Organizers say the initiative has doubled in scale each year and shows no signs of slowing, positioning Cape May County as a global leader in monarch conservation. CMPASC plans to convene all collaborators in 2026 to formally present the historic dataset. The organization will also host the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival from June 11–14, 2026, further showcasing Cape May Point’s role in international conservation science.

Mita’s Hotel Vision in Limbo After Rehab Designation Fails to Pass

A sharply divided Ocean City Planning Board failed to advance a critical step in the proposed redevelopment of the former Wonderland Pier site, stalling efforts to designate the property as "an area in need of rehabilitation." The 4-4 split vote on Wednesday night followed nearly four hours of presentations, public comment, and deliberations, ultimately leaving developer Eustace Mita without the recommendation he had sought to move forward with plans for a hotel project. Despite testimony from Mita’s attorney and several expert witnesses asserting that the property meets state criteria for rehabilitation, opposition from several Planning Board members proved insurmountable. The split effectively kills the referral at the board level, although City Council can still act on the matter directly. Those voting against the designation were Chairman John Loeper, Council liaison Sean Barnes, and board members Shannon Halliday and Matthew Vanderschuere. Voting in favor were Mayor's designee Michael Allegretto, municipal liaison Vince Bekier, Dean Adams, and John Birch. Vice Chairman Gary Jessel was absent. Mita expressed disappointment following the meeting, calling the result "shocking" and a serious blow to his project. He said he would consult with his legal team and make a decision within five days. However, he made it clear he would not wait until spring or beyond for Council to act. If delays persist, Mita stated he would return to his earlier plan to sell the property, which he acquired in early 2021 for $14 million. Since purchasing the site, Mita has invested significantly to maintain some level of activity at the property, including reopening the main boardwalk building and leasing space to seasonal vendors. He said he has absorbed substantial losses doing so, at the city's urging, in an effort to support the northern end of the Boardwalk business district. A zoning subcommittee formed by City Council is expected to present its recommendations in the spring, but that timeline may not align with Mita’s willingness to wait. He voiced frustration with the city’s leadership and suggested the city could simply buy the property if it wanted control over its future. Mita, who owns Icona Resorts and several luxury properties in Cape May County, said he has already received offers exceeding $25 million from developers interested in building homes on the site but had held off while awaiting the city’s decision. For now, the future of the former Wonderland Pier remains uncertain—caught between a divided Planning Board, a cautious City Council, and a developer running out of patience.

 

Elderly Wildwood Crest Couple Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

An elderly couple was found dead in their Wildwood Crest home this week in what authorities have determined to be a murder-suicide. The victims, both 79 years old, were identified as Donald and Marion Miller, residents of the 300 block of East Atlanta Avenue. According to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, initial autopsy results show that Marion Miller died from a single gunshot wound, while Donald Miller died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities responded to the couple’s residence on Wednesday, where officers discovered their bodies. Officials confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public. The case remains under investigation pending the final forensic and medical reports. No further details are being released at this time. Residents with any relevant information are encouraged to contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit or the Wildwood Crest Police Department.

Which significant historical industry was prominent in Cape May during the 17th and 18th centuries?

Which significant historical industry was prominent in Cape May during the 17th and 18th centuries?

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 Answer to the January 9th Trivia Question

Cape May is located at the southern tip of which New Jersey geographic feature?
A) Sandy Hook
B) The Pine Barrens
C) Cape May Peninsula
D) Delaware Water Gap

Answer: C) Cape May Peninsula.
Cape May sits at the southern tip of the Cape May Peninsula, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, making it a strategic location historically and a scenic one today.

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