The California Wildlife Center’s marine mammal rehabilitation program turned 13 this year. During the 2013 “Unusual Mortality Event” affecting California Sea Lion pups (less than 1 year of age) we transitioned from a rescue and transport program to one that includes on-site rehabilitation of young Northern Elephant Seals and California Sea Lions. Each winter, spring, and early summer, the majority of rescued marine mammals in Malibu are early weaned or severely malnourished seals and sea lions.
One of the special patients rescued this past season was case #24-046, nicknamed “Orange,” for the color of the nontoxic grease marker applied as identification. This young male elephant seal pup was rescued from Westward Beach on March 24, 2024, due to severe dehydration, emaciation, and an injury to the right eye.
Like many nonprofits, CWC’s greatest hope is for our services to be a last resort. We care deeply for our patients and treasure our experiences with them, but they arrive in our care due to accidents and illnesses.
https://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.png00Saras Venkatramhttps://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.pngSaras Venkatram2024-11-03 18:08:432024-11-03 18:16:29Building a Brighter Future for Wildlife Through Education
Every pinniped (seal and sea lion) is released from CWC outfitted with an orange flipper tag. These tags are not satellite trackers, and thus require direct observation and reporting to be effective.
The CWC Marine Mammal team has seen the impact of plastic pollution in our oceans firsthand. It is not uncommon to receive a call about fishing line entanglement.
https://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.png00Saras Venkatramhttps://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.pngSaras Venkatram2024-08-19 10:18:552024-08-19 10:18:55The Plastic Impact on Marine Life
At 9am on March 16th, 2024, we received a report that a deceased whale had come ashore at Little Dume. Upon arrival, it was determined that this 30-foot-long sub-adult male, weighing approximately 25,000 pounds (the same as seven cars), was still alive, yet in grave condition and floating at the surf line.
https://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.png00Saras Venkatramhttps://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.pngSaras Venkatram2024-05-28 11:44:062024-05-28 11:44:06Marine Mammal Team Responds to a Distressed Gray Whale near Point Dume, Malibu
https://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.png00Saras Venkatramhttps://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.pngSaras Venkatram2024-02-20 19:49:382024-02-20 21:20:32The Pinniped Rehabilitation Pathway: From Rescue to Release at CWC
By: Heather Henderson, Marine Mammal Program Manager
Marine mammal strandings have a somewhat predictable pattern – spring and summer are extremely busy! A sharp bell curve of activity to be precise. Winter and fall months are generally slower seasons, as we respond to the rhythms of nature and the birthing calendar of our native species. There are fewer rescue calls received during the fall months in SoCal, and we close for rehabilitation during the winter. We are often asked, “what do you do when there are no patients on-site?” The reply – reflect, improve, and prepare for the next busy stranding season.
Once the enclosures are empty, annual maintenance becomes top priority. The marine mammal staff and volunteers stay busy rebuilding, repairing, deep cleaning, training, and doing quality control on data entry. The most intense aspect of repairing revolves around performing safety checks in every nook of the enclosures, carriers, and rescue gear so that we may be prepared for the busy months.
Exam Room Painting
Kevin Fixes the Wall
Rick Prepping Floor
Joanna Paints
2023 did not follow the usual normal pattern of ramping down during June and July. On the contrary, due to the Domoic Acid Crisis experienced by California sea lions during the summer months, patients were kept in-house through mid-September. It was wonderful to have the opportunity to assist dozens of additional patients, but it abbreviated the time available to complete off season projects and repairs.
Projects include laying new flooring, freshening up and protecting the areas with a coat of paint, and replacing all the valves throughout the marine mammal enclosures and pool filtration system. In addition to performing necessary repairs, project season is a time for our crews to meet new volunteers and forge new friendships.
The volunteer family at California Wildlife Center is comprised of an amazing and diversely talented group of people. It is easy to see why they choose to be involved when beautiful seals and sea lions are around, but the true expression of their commitment shines during the fall, when this devoted team is focused on improving our facility in order to be ready to offer the best care possible to stranded marine mammals in Malibu.
https://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.png00protectanimalshttps://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.pngprotectanimals2023-11-21 21:28:282023-11-21 21:34:55Marine Mammal Off Season
By Marine Mammal Program Manager, Heather Henderson
California Sea Lion on Beach
You may have seen California sea lions in the news recently. Starting in June, we have been experiencing an increase in sick sea lion calls all along the Southern California coast. What has caused this?
Upwelling ocean currents along the Southern California coastline bring nutrient-rich water to the surface. The upwelling mixes deep, cool water with warmer sea surface water, resulting in an explosion of growth when sunlight is present, supporting a wide diversity of ocean life. Along with healthy growth, toxic algal blooms can also flourish. Fed by fertilizer runoff, these poisonous blooms can experience dynamic growth.
Pseudo-nitzschia is a single celled plant that has a non-toxic and toxic variety. Concentrations build up in filter feeding fish and shellfish that are consumed by California sea lions. When in the toxic form, Pseudo-nitzschia is referred to as Domoic Acid and acts as a neurotoxin. The result on the body when ingested can vary from abnormal behavior to full-body seizures, and even death. As a sentinel species, sea lions are telling us (and lab analysis has confirmed) that Domoic Acid is at unusually high levels in the Pacific. In early June, we saw the beginning of this historic mass poisoning event.
The Domoic Acid bloom synced with the pregnancies of the California sea lions, as the majority give birth in June. To prepare for nursing their newborns, pregnant females consumed dozens of pounds of fish daily, bulking up and staying in top shape. However, this June, instead of traveling out to the Channel Islands, hundreds of adult females and their pups were knocked off course. After consuming large quantities of the neurotoxin, they ended up stranded on the mainland beaches, experiencing disorientation, seizures, and even dying as a result of consuming large quantities of contaminated fish.
During the five most severe weeks of this event, CWC’s marine mammal team fielded over 800 reports of stranded California sea lions, performing 125 responses in Malibu. By comparison, a normal year will yield on average 15 responses during the same five-week timeframe.
What are the main challenges that accompany the response to a large toxic algal bloom? It arrives with little to no warning and intensifies within just a few days. Rescue programs quickly reach maximum capacity and are unable to admit every stranded animal as a patient, so triage and beach monitoring are implemented.
Can sea lions survive this massive assault on their bodies? The fortunate answer is yes! Although a mentally and physically difficult time, there were numerous successes to celebrate throughout this event. All patients currently in care are no longer displaying seizure activity and are self-feeding. 75% of the California sea lions rescued during this event survived and have been released or are on track to be released.
How can you help?
Always give marine mammals space to relax on the beach, 50ft or more and report concerns of distressed animals to the stranding agency.
Volunteer at your local stranding center. Safety training is essential and can only be learned by working with trained professionals who are permitted to respond.
Donate to help purchase food and medicine for current and future events.
Lastly, help educate your neighbors.
If you are in Malibu and need to report a distressed marine mammal contact our Marine Mammal Rescue Team at (310) 924-7256.
https://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.png00protectanimalshttps://cawildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CWClogo.pngprotectanimals2023-08-29 23:32:102023-08-29 23:32:102023 Summer Domoic Acid Event – A Challenging Time for Hundreds of California Sea Lions
Harbor seals are found in nearly every ocean across the globe. There are even two local sites in Malibu that support year-round populations, and yet our Marine Mammal Rescue Team receives only one or two reports per year about a harbor seal in distress. How can this be? Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) are very shy and go to great lengths to keep their distance from humans.
