CWC Sees Spate of Sea Lions with Shark Bites

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By Mike Remski, Marine Program Manager

Sea Lion in Foreground with a Shark Bite
Photo by Mackenzie Glass

The mere mention of Sharks in our coastal waters usually conjures up nightmarish images of horror movies of the past.  However, Sharks have always been in our local waters and normally don’t cause any harm — to humans that is.  But lately Shark predatory behavior has been a topic of concern when it comes to Sea Lions, specifically for the rescue team at CWC.

Normal diets of large Sharks, like the Great White and the Mako, include mammals and fish and Seals and Sea Lions are at the top of the menu.  And although this is the normal circle of life, it can be a difficult situation not only for the animals who survive an attack but for the rehabbers as well.

This past July, CWC has responded to five Sea Lions with injuries caused by sharks.  This is on par with what we would normally see in an entire year.

It’s important to understand that the increase in shark-bitten stranded Sea Lions does not necessarily reflect an increase in the number of Sharks present.  After all, we are only able to count the number of Sea Lions that survive the attack and make it to shore, while the ones that die at sea and/or become food, will not be accounted for.  Also, there is no way to tell where the attack occurred, since a wounded Sea Lion can swim many miles before beaching.

So why the increase in stranded Sea Lions with Shark bites this year?  There are a few theories, and although no one really knows for sure, it would make sense that the non-lethal bites are being delivered by young or inexperienced Sharks.  But whatever the reason, a live stranded Sea Lion suffering from Shark bites will most likely not do well without help, and that’s where CWC steps in.

Such was the case with CWC patient 19-151.  The pup stranded on June 9th with multiple wounds to her neck and hip area.  She was one of the lucky ones, as the injuries did not puncture any major arteries or destroy too much tissue.  With the help of medications and wound treatments, the CWC staff and volunteers were able to nurse her back to health.  After seven weeks of rehabilitation, she was ready to return to her ocean home and was released at Nicholas Canyon on July 31st.

Since July, these shark bite occurrences have tapered off, which is good news for the rescue team and it also seems to calm the nerves of the general public.  But as long as you’re not a Sea Lion, you really have very little to worry about.

A Crabby Seal

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By Heather Henderson, Stranding Coordinator

Elephant Seal 97 Before Treatment
Photo by Dr. Stephany Lewis

On April 24th we received a report of an Elephant Seal pup (patient #19-097) under a house on Carbon Beach. When the rescue team arrived, it was determined that she needed to come in for care because her face, particularly the nose and mouth, was severely swollen.  No obvious signs of injuries or trauma were found during the intake examination.  We suspected an allergic reaction to eating toxic red crab.

Our suspicion was confirmed when we flushed her stomach with water and crab parts came back up the feed tube.   As a result of communication and shared information throughout the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, we knew that large quantities of these crab parts lodged in the stomach could continue to cause trouble for the Elephant Seal – even result in death.  This season, most of the Elephant Seals arriving at CWC have had a small quantity of crab parts in their stomach.  However, #19-097 presented with an extremely large quantity.

Elephant Seal 97 After Treatment Photo by Heather Henderson

During the first two weeks in care, her stomach was flushed prior to each tube feed, in order to remove the crab parts, and medication was prescribed to address the reaction.  We also delayed introducing whole food, in order to prevent overfilling or distending the stomach.  In addition to any reaction that a patient may experience, the crab parts do not pass through the GI tract quickly and may cause overfilling of the stomach, partially blocking digestion.  In extreme cases, the sharp parts can even tear the lining when able to pass.

Was our approach successful?  YES!  Currently, she weighs 60 kg and her attitude is bright.  Now able to swim down and “catch” fish competitively in the rehab pool, #97’s road to recovery is progressing well.  This Elephant Seal pup patient should find herself back in the ocean by the summer solstice.

California Wildlife Center Reponds to Whale Stranding

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By Stephany Lewis, DVM, Veterinarian

The Whale stranded on Zuma Beach
Photo by Gaston Otero

In January, CWC’s Marine Mammal Rescue Team, led by Mike Remski, responded to a call about a small stranded whale on Zuma Beach in Malibu. The small whale was an adult female Pygmy Sperm Whale, CWC’s first live Whale stranding response. With the help of a team of volunteers and lifeguards, the animal was moved from the beach to the CWC rescue van for further assessment.

On physical examination, the whale was in good body condition, but had several superficial wounds and abrasions, possibly from being thrown in the rough surf, and an abscess just in front of her fluke, or tail. She also had severe conjunctivitis of both eyes with some corneal lesions. This inflammation of the eyes could have been from either trauma or infection. It was unclear at the time why exactly the whale had stranded. However, these animals do not strand for no reason; single-cetacean strandings usually occur due to injury or severe illness.

The Pygmy Sperm Whale was moved to the CWC rescue van for evaluation
Photo by Jennifer Guess

After consultation with marine mammal experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as veterinarians from Sea World San Diego, the closest facility capable of rehabilitating a marine mammal of this size and only one within transport range, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize the Whale. Pygmy Sperm Whales are rarely rehabilitated successfully, at least partially because these deep-diving cetaceans do not fare well when being housed in shallow pools for extended periods of time. Additionally, for an adult whale to strand severe illness is assumed, making the prognosis for a full recovery very poor.

The whale was humanely euthanized at Zuma beach with a combination of intravenous anesthetic drugs, administered in a vein just in front of the fluke. Her remains were sent to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles for necropsy, and to be used for future museum exhibits.

Marine Mammal Department Braces for an Unpredictable Season

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By Michael Remski, Marine Mammal Program Manager

Two of the nine Sea Lion patients
Photo by Heather Henderson

 

The 2019 Sea Lion pup season is off and running here at CA Wildlife Center.

Armed with a seasonal employee, a host of fresh volunteers, and a newly constructed fish preparation kitchen, we are prepared for a very successful season.

A warm welcome goes out to Mackenzie Glass, our seasonal employee, who comes to us with lots of pinniped (seal and sea lion) expertise and experience from Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles. A special thanks also goes out to all the volunteers, new and returning, who have chosen to spend their time helping to make our marine mammal program a success.

This year to date, we have had ten sea lion patients in house, as compared to 2018 which only brought us three sea lions in January, and another two by the end of February. The higher numbers are typical, and actually represents a more “normal” year than 2018.

CWC’s Marine Mammal Team and LA County Lifguards rescue a Northern Right Whale Dolphin
Photo by April Martinez

Although the numbers are typical, the strandings have been anything but. Of particular interest are the two live cetacean (whale and dolphin) strandings that 2019 has brought us. The Pygmy Sperm Whale and Right Whale Dolphin strandings were two species which have never stranded alive in Malibu before this year. Is this a sign of things to come? Or just a bizarre opening to our 2019 season? While we are hoping for the latter, we are preparing for the unusual, which is actually becoming more and more usual. Specialized equipment and protocols that have always been in place but rarely used, have now become key to properly dealing with these strandings, and best caring for these animals. Plans are currently in the works for purchasing upgraded cetacean transport equipment.

Back at the center, our new marine mammal kitchen is up and running. Fish preparation is quick and efficient, leaving our energy and focus for what we do best, caring for our patients. So far, every single sea lion patient has responded well to treatment and is on their way to a full recovery.

California Wildlife Center responds to beached pygmy sperm whale

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On 7:30am, January 18, 2019, California Wildlife Center’s marine mammal department received a call that a pygmy sperm whale had stranded at Zuma Beach in Malibu. Michael Remski, the Marine Mammal Program Manager and a team of volunteers attempted to return the whale to the ocean, but she made her way back to shore and restranded.

The whale was an adult female and the initial physical exam revealed that she was in good body condition, indicating that she stranded as a result of an internal issue. The whale had bilateral conjunctivitis or eye infections in both eyes, which caused her blindness.  She had abrasions on her body and a chronic wound on the right side just cranial to her fluke.  She also had bloody discharge.

California Wildlife Center’s veterinarian, Dr. Stephany Lewis consulted with veterinarians at Sea World, San Diego and officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who recommended euthanasia. This species of whale does not do well in long-term rehabilitation or captivity and was not likely to survive transport to San Diego for treatment.

According to Dr. Lewis, “these animals don’t strand without reason. The strand because they have some severe systemic illness which we can’t typically appreciate during the initial physical exam.”

Dr. Lewis humanely euthanized the whale with intravenous anesthetic drugs for a painless passing. The whale will be transported to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County for further study.

Innovative Treatment Options for California Sea Lions with Eye Injuries

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The Sea Lions were sedated for the procedure. Photo by Heather Henderson

by Dr. Stephany Lewis, DVM, Veterinarian

This summer, CWC’s marine mammal team received several California sea lions with eye trauma, a common injury, and it is not uncommon for us to treat several pinnipeds with corneal ulcers and other corneal injuries. Therapy includes topical antibiotics (applied directly to the eye) and, occasionally, oral antibiotics and analgesics.

As you might imagine, our pinniped patients get large and “ornery” rather quickly, so applying topical medications to their eyes every day, multiple times per day, becomes quite challenging! To help alleviate our patients’ stress (and the stress of our marine mammal staff and volunteers!) we decided to try a novel treatment technique, first used with pinnipeds by the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA, which involves injecting an antibiotic-impregnated gel into the conjunctiva (tissue around the eye).

The gel is injected into the conjunctiva. Photo by Stephany Lewis

 

To implement this technique, we sedated our patients using a combination of injectable sedatives and an inhalant anesthetic. Then we injected a small amount of a thermodynamic antibiotic-impregnated poloxamer gel into the animal’s conjunctiva—and it’s not an easy procedure: the conjunctiva is very thin and very close to the eyeball! The refrigerated injectable is a liquid; it gels once it reaches body temperature.

Over the following couple of weeks, the gel slowly releases the antibiotics onto the animal’s cornea, serving the same function as a daily application of topical antibiotics. Results were promising on all four animals treated, and we will likely apply this technique again in subsequent seasons.

 

A Second Wave of Sea Lions

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By Mike Remski, Marine Program Manager

The CWC Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Facility has had an influx of Sea Lion patients over the past two weeks.  This may lead some to believe that the strandings have picked up again, since we have not taken in Sea Lions for a couple months.

Actually, Sea Lion strandings are fairly consistent throughout the first half of the year.  From January to June the (6-12 month-old) Sea Lions are venturing out on their own away from their mothers, and it is during this time that we see the weaker pups strand.

So why then have we not had any Sea Lions in our enclosure during March and April?  Although strandings have occurred, and rescues* have taken place, CWC staff transferred the rescued pups to MMCCLA [one of our stranding network partners] during these 2 months so that CWC could focus on the Elephant Seals which strand during that time specifically.  Now that we are almost done with the 2018 batch of Ellies, we were able to free up a little space to take on the stranding Sea Lions again.

 

*Stranding response is conducted under a Stranding Agreement between National Marine Fisheries Service and CWC issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. California Wildlife Center is the only organziation permitted to rescue stranded marine mammals in Malibu.

It’s Busy Season for Elephant Seals

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Celebrating the Newly-Rebuilt Marine Mammal Enclosures

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by Heather Henderson, Stranding Coordinator

Ribbon Cutting, Jennifer Brent (left), Shannen Doherty and “Zuma Jay” Wagner, Photo by Harry Vamos

On January 11, 2018 honored guests, staff, volunteers, and our first California sea lion pup patient of the season all gathered to officially unveil the new and improved marine mammal rehabilitation enclosures.

We were fortunate to be joined by longtime CWC supporters, actress Shannen Doherty and Malibu City Councilmember Jefferson “Zuma Jay” Wagner. The entire project was made possible with funds from the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. Mike Remski, Marine Mammal Program Manager, shared CWC’s rehabilitation and response history and details about why this rebuild had become a necessity.

2018’s first sea lion patient, Photo by Heather Henderson

Highlights of the new enclosures include additional drainage with sloping floors, a loading dock that provides access to the vehicles, and enhanced slip-proof entrance stairs. Finally, a redesign of the filtration system will enhance water quality during the busy season. The structure is built above ground, creating the perfect space for a seascape mural, donated and painted by former volunteer and friend of CWC, Ann Jin Chiu.

Throughout the presentation, the first sea lion pup of the season propped herself in the center enclosure, eyes closed and head held high. This body posture is generally displayed by sea lion patients as their health improves, suggesting that they are responding to care, and it is always wonderful to observe. While she was aware of the activity occurring in front of the enclosure, watching her behave in a natural manner is also a delightful sight, since our goal is to nurture these wild instincts. It was a great reminder of why the enclosure is so sorely needed.

Looking Forward to the 2018 Marine Mammal Stranding Season – What can we expect?

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By Heather Henderson, Marine Stranding Coordinator

Underweight northern elephant seal pup – tossing sand on the back is a normal behavior

California Wildlife Center responds to reports of stranded marine mammals 365 days a year.  Due to birthing cycles and species-specific behaviors, there is a certain predictability to the stranding pattern. We use this pattern to approximate supply and personnel needs.   Pinnipeds, such as seals and sea lions, are the primary patients we rescue and care throughout the year.   For our region, the busiest stranding months during a “normal” year are March through May, with a quick buildup and drop off at the beginning and end.  However, over the past half-decade, we have not experienced many normal years.

We look at many factors attempting to predict workload and intensity of stranding patterns as we prepare for the upcoming rehabilitation season.  We look at information from the rookeries where the animals are born and weather predictions to gain a glimpse into the future.

Underweight California sea lion pup – bones of spinal column visible

Population biologists head out to the breeding islands each fall to assess the health of the current season’s cohort.  They document an approximate number of births along with current body weight of pups and their overall condition.  Preliminary findings for California sea lion pups are reassuring, with weights reported to be approaching the healthy range and total number of births to be average.   Northern elephant seal pups have not been born yet.  They are born primarily in January and February, so we will receive their status update later.

Weather patterns have a profound effect on our pinniped populations and their likelihood of stranding.  Storms can flush young animals from the beach before they are ready to head out in to the ocean.  Warmer sea surface temperatures can shift food stocks (fish) farther off shore or into deeper waters. This presents challenges for young animals who are not able to dive as deep.  Foraging mothers need to travel further off shore to feed, leaving their pups for longer periods of time between nursing sessions.  Heavy rains increase coastal pollution through runoff, and can contribute to toxic algal blooms, leading to less safe ocean environment for all marine life, as well as humans.

Early weaned California sea lion pups will start to show up on our Malibu beaches in December.   Northern elephant pups will start to haul out on our beaches in March.  Please give them space to rest and call our rescue hotline (310) 458.9453   Thanks to the amazing team of marine mammal volunteers, and all who generously donate to California Wildlife Center, we enter the 2018 season ready to respond!