2025 will go down in the record books as a year of many challenges. Yet, with challenges come growth and shining moments of success! Things started off slower than in 2024, but that quickly changed. By the second week of January, devastating wildfires forced us to evacuate. Response operations shifted to a remote staging location.
Each year, during the months of March-May, our Marine Mammal Rescue team at CWC receives a high volume of calls regarding stranded Northern Elephant Seal pups on the beaches in Malibu. Each pup that comes in for rehabilitation receives a second chance at life, which was the case for patient #25-097.
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.
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.
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.
Read this pictorial story about the rescue and release of a malnourished California Sea Lion pup found on a busy beach
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.