The Center`s News - The Marine Mammal Center

Transcription

The Center`s News - The Marine Mammal Center
The Center’s News
Release is a publication of
The Marine Mammal Center.
Communications Manager
Jim Oswald
Editor
Jim Oswald
Photographers
Marie DeStefanis
Karla Fernandez
Deborah Gabris
Stan Jensen
National Park Service Inventory
and Monitoring Program
NOAA Pacific Island Fisheries
Science Center
C. Whittier
B
C
F
Contributors
Sue Andrews
Erin Brodie
Lauren De Maio
Jacquie Hilterman
Jessica Hsu
Harriet Lehman
Mecca Nelson
Tenaya Norris
Felicia Nutter
Jim Oswald
Shelbi Stoudt
D
A
Design
Ashton Abeck
Felicia Nutter
© 2007 by The Marine Mammal Center
Printed on 70% recycled,
30% post-consumer paper
E
G
Construction Updates
E. January 2007 The same elephant seal was
A. The Marine Mammal Center is excited to
B. December 2006 The concrete foundation for
spotted at Gus Cove, Point Reyes, healthy
have Dr. Felicia Nutter, DVM, PhD on board
the new education building was poured by
and with a pup. Photo: National Park Service
as the new staff veterinarian. For the past four
contractors. Workers smoothed the concrete after
Inventory and Monitoring Program
years, Dr. Nutter and her husband Chris, who
the pour had been completed. Photo: The Marine
is also a wildlife veterinarian, were based in
Mammal Center
2006 Animal of the Year
Ruhengeri, Rwanda with the Mountain Gorilla
C. January 2007 The education building’s
F. Kellan swimming in a pool while recuperating
Veterinary Project.
structure was started. A crane positioned a
from eye surgery. His right eye was removed
Dr. Nutter is no newcomer to The Center; in 1997,
structural beam of the building. Photo: The
due to infection. Photo: Karla Fernandez
she spent about six weeks as part of the Zoo
Marine Mammal Center
G. Kellan is released with a yellow hat-tag
and Wildlife Medicine residency at N.C. State
needed for post-release monitoring.
University. She says her positive experience,
Point Reyes Elephant Seal
Photo: Deborah Gabris
coupled with her passion for marine mammals,
was the impetus for her return.
D. December 2004 Staff and volunteers from
The Marine Mammal Center removed a yellow
Above: Dr. Felicia Nutter in Rwanda approaching
packing strap constricting an elephant seal
a gorilla. Photo: C. Whittier
found by researchers at Point Reyes National
Seashore. Photo: Stan Jensen
‘Leave Seals Be’ and Call 415.289.SEAL
What to do if you spot a
seal pup alone on a beach:
The “Leave Seals Be” public education campaign
Stay tuned for more information on the harbor
is designed to reduce human interactions with
seal health program in the next issue.
harbor seal pups by asking the public to leave ill,
1. Stay back at least 50 feet
injured or abandoned seal pups alone. Instead,
2. Keep people and dogs
beachgoers should call The Marine Mammal Cen-
away, but take note of its size,
ter’s 24-hour response hotline at 415.289.SEAL
condition, color and location
(7325) to report the location and appearance of
3. Call 415.289.SEAL (7325)
the seal. The Center can dispatch trained staff
Spread the Word!
and report the seal and
and volunteers to monitor the animal until the
Remind the world that seal pups need our help
mother returns or it becomes necessary to bring
by sporting a fun, stylish “Leave Seals Be” shirt,
the animal to the hospital.
available at our retail stores and website.
Harbor seal pup left alone on the beach by its foraging
mother. Photo: The Marine Mammal Center
its location to The Marine
Mammal Center
Shirt Design: Doug Ross
During March and April, Pacific harbor seal pups
Researchers at The Marine Mammal Center are
are born in rookeries along the California coast.
studying infectious causes of reproductive failure
Send an e-Postcard!
After about four weeks, the pups are weaned
in harbor seals. While it is sad to see a dead pup
Cute e-postcards have three designs to choose
from their mothers. This time period is critical for
on a beach, the knowledge gained from studying
from and space for your own special message.
the development of their immune systems—
them is valuable. Please also report dead seal
See our website for details.
without it, they may not survive.
pups to The Center at 415.289.SEAL.
release
Vol. 27 No. 1
|
Spring 2007
|
The Newsletter of The Marine Mammal Center
The Marine Mammal Center
Marin Headlands
1065 Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA 94965-2697
415.289.SEAL
www.marinemammalcenter.org
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAI D
GMS
The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit veterinary
hospital, research and educational center. Since 1975,
staff and volunteers have rescued thousands of injured,
sick and orphaned marine mammals along 600 miles
of northern and central California coastline.
release
The Newsletter of The Marine Mammal Center
Spring 2007
Vol. 27 No. 1
Northern Fur Seals Mystery
It started in early November—first one northern fur seal, then another, began stranding on beaches
along the central California coast. It’s not unusual for The Marine Mammal Center to rescue a
fur seal or two each year, but by the time the new year began, staff and volunteers had rescued
34 malnourished seal pups—surpassing a record set at the hospital in 1997 when 33 seals were
rescued. So, why did so many seals strand in 2006? Could it be another El Niño year like in 1997?
Left: Fur seals on a floating pad in their pool. Middle: Fur seal, Jarrko. Photos: The Marine Mammal Center Right: Fur seal walking on the edge of a pool. Photo: Karla Fernandez
El Niño Facts:
Deb Wickham, animal husbandry manager
El Niño–Food Chain Collapse
DeLong is hesitant to attribute the recent
at The Marine Mammal Center, could not
It’s been nearly ten years since The Center
strandings of these northern fur seals
believe there were 22 northern fur seals on
has seen this many fur seal rescues. In
to El Niño. He says there is evidence of an
site at once. It was mid-December and
1997, rescues coincided with the beginning
abundance of food sources and although
normally a quiet time at the hospital. Yet,
of an El Niño. An El Niño is a temporary
the fur seal pups weaned at low weights,
the bleating sounds of young fur seals
warming of ocean waters that begins in
adult females looked good and were
were deafening as they emanated from
the tropics and spreads to the Pacific,
of a healthy weight. The million-dollar
2. In an El Niño, the opposite occurs
the back pens and pools. One pup stood
according to Bob DeLong, a research biol-
question is “if there is plenty of food, why
and the cold, nutrient-rich water is
out from the rest of the pack by chirping
ogist with the National Marine Fisheries
did the young pups not find it?”
blocked by the warmer layer of surface
like a bird. In one pen, a circus of small fur
Service. “El Niños have been around
seals was swimming back and forth in the
since the dawn of man,” said DeLong.
pool. In another, a group was lounging on a
floating pad, while across the pen another
group was perched on the edge of the
pool as if it were a tight-rope. The animals
had taken up residency in three pens
with the largest measuring 30’-by-30’ and
outfitted with a 2,000 gallon pool.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
On the Road to Recovery
1. Trade winds normally blow east
to west, piling warm, surface water in
the Pacific. Upwelling of nutrient-rich
colder water occurs.
water, eliminating many food sources.
Veterinarians at The Center may never
3. Depressed thermocline*
In an El Niño year, food sources such
know what caused the fur seals to become
means marine mammals and birds are
as anchovies and squid move to deeper,
malnourished and strand this past year.
on a low nutritional plain that causes
cooler water. This means that the
They examined each of the patients to see
survival issues.
coastal ocean becomes less productive
if there might be other medical reasons,
and ultimately, the food chain begins
such as disease causing them to be
to collapse, like the scenario in 1997.
underweight. continued on page 2
* Refers to the depth in the ocean where
temperature decreases rapidly
To learn more about these events, go to www.marinemammalcenter.org and click on the Events button.
3/17-3/18
4/15
4/21 & 4/22
6/7
6/18–8/24
Mendocino Whale Festival at the
Point Cabrillo Lighthouse. Learn
more at www.pointcabrillo.org
Run for the Seals, 4-mile foot race
in the Marin Headlands. Register
by April 2 at runfortheseals.org
Earth Day Fair – West Contra Costa
(4/21) San Francisco Zoo Get
“Caught Green-Handed” (4/22)
SLO New Volunteer Orientation,
Morro Bay Operations
Coastal Camp at Headlands
Institute. Register at
www.yni.org/hi/summer
3/17, 4/5, 5/8, 6/17
4/21, 5/19, 6/16
4/21 & 4/22
6/9
7/28
New Volunteer Orientation
at building 1071 in the
Marin Headlands
New Volunteer Orientation at
the Sausalito Bay Model
Overnight research course aboard
the White Holly. Learn more at
www.whiteholly.org
MBO New Volunteer Orientation,
Monterey Bay Operations
5th Annual Marine Mammal
Day at AT&T Park
continued from front cover
Northern Fur Seals Mystery
Winter with the Hawaiian Monk Seals
The objectives during the winter season
None were found. So for now, veterinarians
are to provide nutritional supplements,
and volunteers will continue to care
mostly fish, to help the animals gain
and feed the young pups until they reach
weight and to monitor the wild monk seal
a healthy release weight.
population in Midway Atoll.
The twins in their beach pen, which they now share with newcomer PO48. Photo: Bob Braun, NOAA Pacific
Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) NOAA Permit 9321489.
PO22 and PO26, the rare Hawaiian monk
together in a pile. All three continue to
seal twins, are no longer the only two
put on the necessary weight to increase
benefiting from the captive care initiative
their chance of surviving into their
at Cargo Beach in Midway Atoll. Since their
reproductive years.
October 2006 return to Midway, the two
gregarious seals have been joined by new
pen mate PO48.
“We are collaborating with Long Marine
“Our winter monitoring is important
Lab in Santa Cruz to help these animals
because historically there is very little data
get ready to be released back to the wild,”
collected over the winter and this is the
said Wickham. In late January, The Center
time, between the summer field camps,
transferred six fur seals to the Santa
when many juveniles disappear,” says
Cruz-based facility so researchers there
Tenaya Norris, Captive Care Coordinator
could measure each seal’s resting meta-
from The Marine Mammal Center. “Our
bolic rate and perform other tests
observations will hopefully shed some
designed to observe reactions to water
light on what may be contributing to
temperature shifts. This research will not
these disappearances.”
only provide basic physiological informa-
The winter “pilot program” on Midway
Atoll is a collaboration between the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
and The Marine Mammal Center—both
are providing experienced personnel and
In a neighboring beach pen, there are
the majority of the funding. Important
three other juvenile female seals, PO40,
supporting agencies include Fish and
PO42 and PO46. All six weaners, born in
Wildlife Service and Seaworld.
Upon introduction, the twins immediately
2006, are being monitored regularly and
interacted with PO48 and are seen playing
fed Atlantic herring three times a day
in the water together daily. At night, they
as part of the winter monk seal program.
tion about northern fur seals (resting
metabolism, thermal capabilities), but it
will also enable an assessment
of body condition and health prior to the
pups’ release. At the time of this printing,
all of the fur seals were scheduled to be
released in March or April.
The six animals currently in captive care
are slated for release in late March.
have been frequently observed sleeping
Fur seals filing out of a pool. Photo: Marie DeStefanis
Special Thanks
$50,000 and above
Shirley Sichel
Elizabeth and Rico Wiskemann
$20,000–$49,999
Arthur and Elena Court
Mary Bachman and William Downing
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn A. Haldan
Betty and William Hasler
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Latno, Jr.
Merrill and Cinnie Magowan
Carole Strauss
$10,000–$19,999
Anonymous (2)
Kathryn Arnold
Kristine Ashe
Bokara Legendre
Margaret A. Maw
Sandor & Faye Straus—Firedoll Foundation
$5,000–$9,999
Anonymous (1)
Vernon and Mary Lee Altman
Dennis and Molly Collins
Dennis DeDomenico and Sandra Brod
Susan Grau
Mr. & Mrs. William Hamm III
Beth Inadomi and Tim Newell
Arthur H. Kern
Michael Kleeman
Catherine Kruttschnitt
Nancy and Mark Maymar
Allison and Mark McKee
Peter Read
Michael Ross
Gina Sanfilippo and Frederick Roeber
Peter and Paula Turner
Gregory and Nancy Wilson
$1,000–$4,999
Scott Ahrendt
Tom and Julie Atwood
J. Bradford Barnes
Camilla and David Basham
Anne Bertaud-Peuto and Bernard L. Peuto
Katherine H. Black
Lynne and George Brown
Berwick and Jo Ann Bryant
Keith Buckingham
Peggy Burks
James and Susan Burns
Judy Casper and Jim Hill
Helen Charpentier
Janis and Edward Cherry
Cecilia Claudio and Lars Rabbe
Scott and Shirley Clayton
Rebecca and John Colligan
David and Rebecca Conant
Martin F.N. Cooper
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Dawson
Martha Day
Bruce and Lynn Dayton
Lois DeDomenico
Susan and Wendell Dinwiddie
Ann Domm
Bill Doyle
Diane and Jim Ducey
Sherrill Dunning
Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Eason
David Edelsohn
Carole and Daniel Eitingon
Lois Enslow
Melissa Fairgrieve
Ann and George Fisher
Mitch Fong
Jessica and John Fullerton
2 Spring 2007
Lisa and William Gala
Marilyn and Bob Garibaldi
Ann Gessert
Val and Jerry Gibbons
Mary and Clinton Gilliland
Leslie Goldberg
Florence and Steven Goldby
Lisa and Douglas Goldman
Susan Gray
Patricia Greenhood
B. J. Griffin
Pamella and Stephen Gronemeyer
Sophie and Robert Guarasci
William Gulland
Bernice Hansen
Phyllis Hanson
Lisa Heinz
Craig Heyl
The Edward E. Hills Fund and Ingrid Hills
Craig Hoefer and Susan Parker
Peter Hricak
Christine and Gary Hromadko
Michele and Bill Hunnewell
Chris and Bob Hunter
James and Thomaseen Jensen
Stan Jensen
Karen Johnson-McKewan and Tom McKewan
Derry and Charlene Kabcenell
Raymond Kaliski
Lowell Kasden
Kevin and Janey Kaster
Bonnie Kay
Kate Kelly
Murray and Jeanie Kilgour
William and Gretchen Kimball Fund
Suzanne and Gerald Knecht
Carla and James Laverty
Cathy and Ted Lehmann
Anne Leung-Stevens and Larry Stevens
Lawrence Levy
Marie and Barry Lipman
Thomas C. Litwiler
David and Diane Logan
Aber Lynch and Jim Becker
Richard D. MacDonald and
Catherine Wollenberg-MacDonald
Renee MacKenzie
Fillmore and Barbara Marks
Michael and Sharon Marron
Matthew and Nancy Noel
Richard Norton and Adrienne M. Norton
Olivia Orr
Joanne Overleese, M.D.
Arlene Peacock
Janet and Norman Pease
John A. Perez
Andrea and Pat Phelps
W. R. Phillips
Joan Platt
Eleanore Plessas
Maja and Craig Ramsey
Victoria and Sam Reed
Phil and Katherine Reilly
June Richard
Theodore Ridgway and Ellena Ochoa
Alice K. Robinson
Marilyn and George Rose
Lisa Schloegel
Cynthia Schramm
Edwin A. Seipp, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. H. Boyd Seymour
Dr. William Shapiro
Jewel and Richard Sideman
Ben Sparks
Beverly Spector and Kenneth Lipson
Peter and Janecke Stauffer
Henry Stauffer
Our sincere thanks go to these generous donors whose contributions of $500 or more support The Center’s work to assist distressed marine
mammals, research marine mammal health, and share our knowledge with the general public and the international scientific community.
This list recognizes gifts received May 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006 in support of The Center’s annual operating fund.
Frances Stevenson
Akiko Takahashi
Teru Taketa
J. Holley Taylor
Margaretta Taylor
Jennifer Taylor and Paul White
Raymond Thibodeau
Sarah Tiedemann
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Trethewey
Tom and Pauline Tusher
Kathryn and Robert Vizas
Richard and Liz Ward
Bettina Warner
William and Denise Watkins
Carollee and William Webber
Michael and Robin Willard
Diane B. Wilsey
Robert Wilson
Alan and Arlene Young
Anthony P. Zinge
$500–$999
Anonymous (4)
Lawrence Adams
Douglas Adams
Carolyn Adams
Penelope Alxitch
Warren Anderson
Brien Anderson
Ian Andrews
Mike Anthenien
Peter and Patricia Arrigoni
Jerome Ashford
Lucille M. August
Sharon Lea Aukerman
Jennifer and David Bailey
Jeannette Baumgardner
Richard and Nancy Bean
Brittany D. Berget
Maria Berry
Stacy Bezyack and Dana Bialashewski
Michael Binger
Lucy Bledsoe
Robert and Marilyn Borg
Mary Boyce
Ed Chejlava and Tracy Harcourt
Evelyn and James Chumbley
Thomas and Linda Ciotti
Kathleen Correia and Stephen Evans
Keith Coyne
Steven Cummings and Ingrid Woods
Mark Cunningham and Judith Klein
Helen Cupper
Christina Davignon
Sue Dekalb
Sharon and Kirch DeMartini
Paul and Elizabeth Denison
Mike and Connie Dowler
Drexler Estate Fund - Kenneth Drexler
Lydia Edlson
Elizabeth and Paul Eisenhardt
Mark Eisner
Tawna and John Farmer
Rosemary Fei and Gary Harrington
Richard Flaster and Alice Mead
James Frick
Robert and Michelle Friend
Helga Fuller
Myles Goldfein
Myron and Doris Goodwin
Mr. and Mrs. Peter G. Gordon
Michele and Richard Goss
Barrie Gross
Beverly Gross
Steve and Gina Harris
Julie Hosfeldt
E. Vickie Hughes
William E. Hunter
Michael Ina
Sarah Ippolito
William Jacoway
Lee and Winifred Jebian
Anna Jeffrey
Robert and Robin Johansen
Linda and William Kane, Jr.
Mark and Anita Karier
Christopher L. Kaufman and Carlyn Clement
Julie Kelsey
Lenore Kirvay
Dr. Juliet Lamont and Dr. Phil Price
Bill and Jean Lane
Amy Lange
Sally Lappen and Nik Warren
Carmen M. Lasar
Philip and Elizabeth Lathrap
Cynthia Lee
Hollis Lenderking
Paul and Karen Lindstrom
Ceil Long
Jon and Gale Love
Diane M. Luders
Brian MacDonald
Sharon Mc Cullough
The Purple Lady/Barbara J. Meislin Fund
of the Marin Community Foundation
Robert and Yukiko Nakano
Laura Nardozza
Marina Nichols and Jesse Fielding
Mr. and Mrs. James Nisbet
Manissa Pedroza
Lorraine Pehoushek
George Persky
Ian Reeve
Millie and Joseph Rogers, Jr.
Carla Roth
Christina Scarlott
Nathaniel and Marcia Schmelzer
Kathleen Schneider
Judith Schultz
Michael and Susan Schwartz
Kirsten Shaw
Peter Siggins and Veronique Laband Siggins
John and Karen Silvey
John Soltis
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Spaulding
Margaret Stone
Jean S. Thomas
David and Ruth Thompson
Mr. & Mrs. Sloan Upton
Richard and Kate Vance
Martin Vanderlaan and Patricia Post
Kristi and Clifford Vaughan
Dee Vogel
Anne-Marie and David Walker
Angeli Wang and John Green
Lori and Michael Weigant
Elaine J. Weihman
Karen and Ken West
Peter Wilson and Linda Rodgers
Foundations and Corporations
$50,000+
Irma Penniman Kahn Conservation Education Fdn.
DMARLOU Foundation
Wallace Genetic Foundation, Inc.
Marisla Foundation
The Bernard Osher Foundation
The Sato Foundation
The Teddy Foundation
Y & H Soda Foundation
$5,000–$9,999
Bernstein Global Wealth Management
The Sidney S. Byers Charitable Trust
California Coastal Commission
Gonsalves & Stronck Construction Co., INC
Hodge, Neiderer, Cariani LLC
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Pacific Service Credit Union
Surefire Marketing
Union Bank of California
Wells Fargo
Westone Laboratories, Inc.
$1,000–$4,999
Bank of America
Bank of Marin
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
The Compton Foundation
The Samuel E. and Hilda S. Duff Trust
Walter & Elise Haas Fund
The Jones-Smith Foundation
Kochis Fitz
McCormick & Kuleto’s
Noll & Tam Architects/Scott Dennis, Architect
PIER 39 Limited Partnership
The Don and Nancy Powell Foundation
Charles See Foundation
TOSA Foundation
Bear Stearns & Co. Inc.
Morris Animal Foundation
Marin Community Foundation
McBean Family Foundation
The Overbrook Foundation
Harden Foundation
Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute
In Honor Of
Mary Bachman and Bill Downing
Grace Bardwick
Marina and Jesse Fielding
Sandy Flichter
Tisha Brady and Conor Mulroney
Shalia Yoder
JazLyn Yoder
Memorials
Gary Allums
Lawrence G. Becker
Benjamin Binkley
Dorothy Cousins
Stanley Diamond
Jo Donovan
Fritz Grau
William Christopher Hesley
Jody Terry Kazlowskis
Adelaide S. Kirkbride
Dan McGrath
Ken West
$500–$999
The Winifred & Harry B. Allen Foundation
Applera Corporation
The Barnston-Koutsafis Foundation
Chevron
First Republic Bank
The William H. & Mattie Wattis
Harris Foundation
Lucasfilm, Ltd.
Machiah Foundation
The Verla K. Regnery Foundation
SeaDreams Productions
Workplace Giving and Matching
Gift Organizations
AT&T Foundation
Citigroup Foundation
Donate for Charity, Inc.
Gap Inc. Giving Campaign
Genentech Employee Giving Program
Global Impact–Applied Materials
Global Impact–Hewlett Packard
Google
IBM Matching Grants Program
Independent Charities of America
Local Independent Charities of America
Merrill Lynch & Co Foundation
Microsoft Giving Campaign Program
PG&E Campaign for the Community
Sun Microsystems Foundation
Washington Mutual, Inc.
Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign
Bequests
$10,000–$49,999
Elisabeth Sonntag
Donald P. Warto
The Bals Family Trust
Lawrence G. Becker
Contance E. Christensen
Lucila Clavijo
Robert and Alice DeLeon
Ellen A. Dukes
Janet H. Jacot
Michael W. Lee
Norma Mathews
Evelyn L. White
Carmen Arreola
Olga Benyo
Diana L. Brady
Lorraine Cantor
Diane Evans
Adelaide S. Kirkbride
Mildred Lillis
Joseph Stanley Pikul
In-Kind
Albertson’s
Arthur Court Designs
Dale Anania
Beach Blanket Babylon
Cambria Bicycle Emporium
Channel Islands National Park
Murray Dailey
Drakes Bay Fundraising
Nancy Fox and Associates, LLC
Jessica Fullerton
Jason Goldheim
Joe Gallo and Gallo Wines
Stuart Hamlyn
Harrah’s Entertainment
Hawkes Ocean Technologies
King Air
Linblad Expeditions
Merrill Magowan
Marin French Cheese Company
Lucinda Morlin
National Marine Fisheries Service
Personal Telephone Answering Services
Laure Reichek
Phil Reilly
San Francisco Giants
Kathy Savastano
Sam Silverman
Spinnaker Restaurant
Peter Stauffer
Town Hall Restaurant
Carrie Trahan
US1 Travel.com
Westin St. Francis Hotel
Alan R. Young
www.marinemammalcenter.org
Looking back at
People at The Center
The Protected
Resources Circle
The Protected Resources Circle (PRC) is
Rainy first four months — The Center’s
If you see an ill seal on a beach this pupping season and call our
response hotline at (415) 289-SEAL— chances are you will speak
with one of these people. They respond to calls about marine
mammals in need of help, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
2006
The Marine Mammal Center’s circle
of donors whose annual leadership
contributions of $500 or more support
construction project continues as
The Center’s core work of rescue,
perimeter road is built, pipes laid and
rehabilitation and release of marine
work on foundations begins.
mammals. Donors who contribute
at least $500 to The Center’s capital
Traveled to San Miguel Island —
campaign are also included in the
Researchers collect samples to investigate
PRC in 2007.
causes of reproductive failure in California
Benefits and privileges of PRC member-
sea lions.
ship include invitations to private releases
of rehabilitated animals back to their
The Center lends a helping hand —
ocean homes, private tours of The Center,
Staff and volunteers care for extremely
rare, twin, Hawaiian monk seal pups.
Left: (from left to right) Lauren De Maio, Erin Brodie, and Shelbi Stoudt of the Sausalito operations.
Photo: The Marine Mammal Center, Right: Sue Andrews of the Monterey Bay Operations Rescue and
Triage Center. Photo: Stan Jensen
an invitation to The Center’s annual gala
and listing in The Center’s Annual Report
and in this newsletter.
Pool at the Zoo — The San Francisco Zoo
Sue Andrews started as a volunteer in 1993
Lauren De Maio admires the dedication
lends a helping hand (actually a big pool)
and then became the Field Manager at
The Marine Mammal Center has towards
to elephant seal pups, freeing up much
The Monterey Bay Operations Rescue and
the health of marine mammals and
needed pen space at The Center.
Triage Center. She says she is amazed by
the knowledge gained through scientific
the people working at The Center because
research. She loves her position and
New Marine Mammal Visitor Center opens
they all have big hearts and a desire to
says, it is a pleasure to work with such a
at Rodeo Beach.
be a part of the solution for the animals
great staff and dedicated volunteers
and the ocean. | Sue is the Field Manager
because they give so much of their time
Fur Seals Strand — The Center rescues and
cares for a record number of fur seal pups
(see cover story.)
at The Center’s Monterey Bay Operations.
Four private release events for PRC members will take place between June and
August this year. We invite you to contact
the Development Office at 415.289.7335
to become a PRC member in time to
receive your invitation to attend a private
release event this summer!
and efforts to The Center. | Lauren is
a Stranding Coordinator at The Center.
Say Thank You Ocean
as an education outreach instructor before
Shelbi Stoudt started volunteering in 1993
Did you know that only five percent of
Erin Brodie started at The Center in 1997
becoming part of the stranding team.
and then joined the staff in 1998. She
the ocean has been explored and that the
Phoca Rescate (Seal Rescue) — The Center
She says she loves the challenge that comes
says The Center gives her the personal
deepest part of it is roughly seven miles
travels to Puerto Rico to train and
with coordinating animal responses.
satisfaction that she is making a difference
deep—much deeper than Mt. Everest is
strengthen local stranding network.
Erin says every situation is different and
and effecting change. She also notes,
tall? The ocean also provides food, water,
no two days are the same. Her involvement
“Where else could I strap on a helmet and
commerce and even recreation. You
with The Center makes her feel that in
crawl around like a sea lion!” (referring to
can learn more about the ocean and its
some way she is positively affecting the
training courses she teaches to volunteers
affects on our daily lives by visiting
world. | Erin is a Stranding Coordinator at
on the art of using herding boards to
www.thankyouocean.org. This new web
The Center.
rescue seals and sea lions.) | Shelbi is the
resource includes ocean and marine life
Stranding Manager at The Center.
facts and activities designed to teach,
educate and inspire ocean stewardship.
One of the northern fur seal patients at The Center.
Photo: The Marine Mammal Center
Volunteers cleaning harbor seal Wee One’s
umbilicus. Photo: The Marine Mammal Center
Runners just starting the 4-mile course in the
Marin Headlands in 2005. Photo: The Marine
Mammal Center
Miniature veterinary kit.
Image: Build-A-Bear Workshop®
2006 Number of animals admitted
Seal Volunteers Needed!
Run for the Seals — April 15
Build-A-Bear — Help a Seal!
Number
Percent
Our busiest animal rescue season is in full
The Center’s famous 4-mile fun run/walk
Build-A-Bear Workshop® and The Marine
103
18.4%
swing and we have many seal pups in need
is back! This year’s Run for the Seals takes
Mammal Center, along with the San
Pacific harbor seals
61
10.9%
of TLC. Join a fun and committed group
place on Sunday, April 15 at Rodeo Beach.
Francisco Giants™, have teamed up for
California sea lions
326
58.2%
Steller sea lions
4
.7%
of individuals who make a difference in the
Named as one of the Bay Area’s best short
a special offer that will help marine
Guadalupe fur seals
4
.7%
lives of marine mammals every day.
runs, the course begins at Rodeo Beach
mammals. Starting this spring at Make
34
6.1%
and winds through the beautiful Marin
Your Own Lou Seal™ by Build-A-Bear
0
0%
Headlands. Runners, walkers, baby joggers
Workshop at AT&T Park™, when you
19
3.4%
and dogs on leashes are welcome.
purchase a plush miniature veterinary kit,
9
1.6%
560
100%
Proceeds benefit The Marine Mammal
Build-A-Bear Workshop will donate $1 to
Center. Don’t miss the fun—you may
The Marine Mammal Center. This one-of-
even see SF Giants’ mascot Lou Seal at the
a-kind accessory will be sold exclusively at
finish! Online registration is available
Make Your Own Lou Seal™ at the ballpark,
at www.runfortheseals.org through April 2.
so snag them while they last and help
Species
Northern elephant seals
Northern fur seals
Sea turtles
Southern sea otters
Cetaceans–various species
Total
* percentages are approximate due to rounding procedures.
In addition to animal care, there are many
other opportunities to get involved, including
the rescue and release of animals, youth
education, administration, retail and more.
Learn more about these opportunities on
our website or contact Kathleen Hannah,
volunteer coordinator at hannahk@tmmc.org.
A listing of volunteer orientation dates is on
a seal or sea lion at the same time!
the front page of this newsletter.
Spring 2007 3