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 [email protected]. 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