Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Formerly Friends of Sealion
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (formerly called Friends of Sealion Marine Mammel Rescue) is a favorite place of mine to visit. They are located in Laguna Beach CA and allow visitors during the day (check site for current schedules or changes).
Being a Marine Mammal Rescue in Southern California they mostly rescue California Sealions. They also often take in Harbor Seals and Elephant Seals. Occassionally they take in other species of Pinnipeds but those three are the most common to the area. They get some calls for cetaceans but unfortunately by the time a Dolphin or Whale strands they are usually in pretty bad shape.
Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue has a variety of pools and pens to situate the animals in including a 'nursery' for very young or very sick animals. The above pool area that you see the Sealions in is often occupied by the animals that are farther along in their rehabilitation and getting closer to release. Seals and Sealions are put in with others of their species to show they can compete for food to ensure they will survive on their own once released.
These two Sea lions are frolicking around in the big pool. The behaviors they exhibit are often practice for natural behaviors they would do need in the ocean.
Below is "Little Dipper", an Elephant Seal that came through the rescue. Elephant Seals are much larger then Sealions or Harbor Seals. Elephant Seal pups brought into the center can easily out weigh some of the Sealions that are ready for release.
Every effort is made to ensure the animals can be released back into the wild. That is the main goal of any Marine Mammal Rescue Center. Seals and Sealions are not coddled or even talked to while at the center. Signs are posted to let visitors know not to talk to or try to engage the Seals and Sealions.
Occassionally an animal comes in that is not releaseable such as Jonah. He was so young when he came in that intense care was involved to ensure his survival. Only then are the volunteers allowed to interact on a 'friendly' level with the animals.
Sealion & Marine Mammal Rescue in California
in Laguna Beach - Range, Orange County Beaches
at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro
Range from Long Beach to Ventura County
Central California - San Luis Obispo County to Mendocino County
Jonah the Sealion sliding into his pool
Sealions, like Seals and Walruses, are members of the Pinniped family. More information can be found on the Pinnipeds page for the Marine Mammal Center.
Sealions frolicking in the 'big boys' pool
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~Pacific Marine Mammal Rescue~
For more recent stories and Whale Watching photos please visit the Whale Watchers Unanimous Message Board. My Whale Watching stories will be posted there first as will my most recent photos of Whales, Dolphins, Sealions or any other forms of Marine Life. Photos, stories and information from others will be posted there too. Come share your own Whale Watching adventures, photos or information.
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