Cape May County Zoo Says Goodbye to Beloved Otter Mork

Issue #678

May 07, 2026

In partnership with

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 🦁Cape May County Zoo Says Goodbye to Beloved Otter Mork

 🚙 Free Parking Could Remain in Diamond Beach After Resident Backlash

 🦈 OCEARCH Tracks Great White Shark Near Atlantic City During Migration

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

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

 May 7

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How Jennifer Aniston’s LolaVie brand grew sales 40% with CTV ads

The DTC beauty category is crowded. To break through, Jennifer Aniston’s brand LolaVie, worked with Roku Ads Manager to easily set up, test, and optimize CTV ad creatives. The campaign helped drive a big lift in sales and customer growth, helping LolaVie break through in the crowded beauty category.

Cape May County Zoo Says Goodbye to Beloved Otter Mork

 Mork, a beloved North American river otter at the Cape May County Park & Zoo, has died at the age of 17 after suffering a seizure-like medical episode. Zoo officials said veterinary staff examined Mork after keepers noticed concerning symptoms and discovered he had an enlarged heart, a condition capable of causing seizures and serious cardiac events. Despite medical treatment and emergency intervention, the otter passed away peacefully. Mork had been a resident of the zoo since 2013 and became one of its most recognizable and popular animals. Known for his energetic and social personality, he regularly entertained visitors by swimming, playing in his pool, and interacting near the viewing windows. Zoo staff said he was especially intelligent and enthusiastic during training and enrichment activities, often enjoying simple items like packing paper and cardboard to build nests and play with. The otter formed a strong connection with both zookeepers and guests over the years, earning a reputation as a fan favorite who enjoyed attention and frequently posed near the glass for photos. Staff described him as an animal that consistently brought joy and helped create meaningful connections between visitors and wildlife. At 17 years old, Mork lived well beyond the average lifespan for North American river otters, which is typically around 12 years. Zoo officials said his long life and engaging personality left a lasting impact on the Cape May County community and the many guests who visited him over the years.

Free Parking Could Remain in Diamond Beach After Resident Backlash

 Lower Township is backing away from its proposed paid parking plan for Diamond Beach after significant backlash from residents and neighboring communities. Township Council voted unanimously on May 4 to introduce an ordinance repealing the parking fees and permit system that had previously been approved for the beachside neighborhood. The original plan called for paid parking through the ParkMobile app on streets closest to the beach, along with a $250 annual permit for township residents. Officials estimated the program would generate between $150,000 and $175,000 annually while also helping reduce summertime parking congestion in the area. Residents strongly opposed the proposal, saying they were not properly informed before the ordinance was initially approved in March. Many argued the parking fees would inconvenience homeowners, increase congestion on residential streets and negatively impact visitors. Mayor Frank Sippel acknowledged that both revenue needs and parking management concerns motivated the original proposal but said resident feedback played a major role in the township’s decision to reconsider. A final public hearing and vote on the repeal ordinance is scheduled for May 18. If approved, parking in Diamond Beach will remain free for the upcoming summer season.

OCEARCH Tracks Great White Shark Near Atlantic City During Migration

 Marine researchers with OCEARCH have tracked a juvenile female great white shark named Nori swimming off the coast near Atlantic City and Sea Isle City during her seasonal migration north. The shark surfaced late Tuesday night several miles offshore, creating the first recorded “ping” this spring from an OCEARCH-tagged great white shark near the Jersey Shore. Nori was tagged by researchers in Nova Scotia in October 2025, where she measured 8 feet, 10 inches long and weighed 423 pounds. Since receiving a satellite tracking device on her dorsal fin, she has traveled nearly 3,000 miles along the East Coast. Over the winter, the shark migrated south to waters near Charleston, South Carolina, before beginning her return northward this spring. Researchers say Nori’s movements are consistent with the migration patterns commonly seen in great white sharks, which spend colder months in warmer southern waters before returning to feeding areas near New England and Canada as temperatures rise. OCEARCH scientists use satellite tags to collect migration and biological data that help improve understanding of shark behavior and support conservation efforts. The nonprofit organization has tagged more than 100 great white sharks in the western Atlantic. While Nori is the first tagged shark to appear near New Jersey this season, experts say more sightings and tracking pings are likely as additional sharks migrate north along the coast. Follow Nori with OCEARCH’s tracker.

Which famous American composer wrote a march named after Congress Hall and first debuted it on its lawn in 1882?

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 Answer to the May 5th Trivia Question

What was the original name of Congress Hall when it was first constructed in 1816?

A) The Grand Hotel
B) Hughes House
C) The Big House
D) Cape May Inn

Answer: C) The Big House

Congress Hall was first built in 1816 as a wooden boarding house by Thomas H. Hughes. It was initially called "The Big House," and locals referred to it as "Tommy's Folly" because they thought it was too large to be successful. When Hughes was elected to the House of Representatives in 1828, he renamed the hotel to Congress Hall​.​

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