The Marine Mammal Center

Since 1975, we've rescued more than 24,000 marine mammals 🚑🦦 along over 600 miles of coastline in California and Hawai‘i 🦭🌊🌺 But we weren't always the world's largest marine mammal hospital! Check out these photos from the historical archive 🎞️ to get a sense of just how far our state-of-the-art facility has come 🏥 Don't just take our word for it, see for yourself when you visit our Sausalito hospital. Just reserve a general admission ticket - completely free of charge - ahead of your visit at https://bit.ly/3scar7M.

During veterinary school I had the honor of being an American Veterinary Medical Foundation (#AVMF) scholarship recipient. The Auxiliary to the AVMA Legacy Endowed Scholarship Program gave me the financial support to participate in externships at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, and The Marine Mammal Center. I had the pleasure of sharing my experience as an AVMF scholarship recipient with the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association): https://lnkd.in/gSDt8RxG Support the next generation of veterinarians today: https://lnkd.in/guTczQ4W

Thanks to support from ocean champions like you 🌊 our experts are tackling the critical work of advancing ocean health at a time when action is more important than ever. With backgrounds far beyond the ocean, the people at the helm of our organization bring unique perspectives, building a broad foundation by recently creating a new strategic planning framework to grow the incredible impact you create. Learn how we're leading the way for a healthy ocean at https://bit.ly/4g4Tlji. 📷 Chris Diemler

In June of this year, a loggerhead sea turtle was rescued near Avila Beach in #California and brought to the Aquarium of the Pacific for recovery. The Marine Mammal Center's San Luis Obispo Operations team in #MorroBay rescued the turtle and transferred the animal to the aquarium with NOAA Fisheries' authorization. 🏥 This decision was made due to the #Aquarium’s expertise in treating and releasing stranded and injured sea turtles. 🐢 Upon arrival, the 10 to 15-year-old subadult #Turtle, measuring approximately 22 inches long and weighing 50 pounds, was in critical condition—hypothermic, dehydrated, with flipper wounds, eye ulcers, and mild pneumonia. 🩺 The aquarium's #Veterinary team immediately began care, slowly warming the turtle to a normal temperature, administering antibiotics, fluids, eye ointment, and treating its wounds. To help the turtle regain strength, the team also provides a daily diet of mixed restaurant-quality seafood. 🌊 The Aquarium of the Pacific has rehabilitated and released sea turtles since 2000. Some released turtles have been fitted with #Satellite tracking devices, allowing scientists to gather data on their migration patterns and habitats. 💚 Read more about loggerhead sea #Turtles and the aquarium's ongoing #Conservation efforts in Connect: https://bit.ly/3T97gex. #WildlifeRescue #AnimalHealth #AnimalRescue #LongBeach #SanLuisObispo #AvilaBeach

Youth Crew is an opportunity for aspiring conservationists to volunteer alongside our animal care and education experts 🌊🦭 Which is why we're so excited to be able to offer financial assistance to qualifying youth 🙌 Thanks to generous support from our partners, motivated high school students who would otherwise be unable to participate could receive a stipend for Youth Crew PLUS be matched with a mentor throughout the program 🤝 Find full details, Q&A session information, and apply before the September 18 deadline at https://bit.ly/3zRIFz5. 📷 Bill Hunnewell

Watch playful Hawaiian monk seal and Pacific harbor seal pups learning to survive in the wild 😍 These "toys" are enrichment items, which teach our marine mammal patients skills, like how to forage for food on their own, and keep their minds occupied during rehabilitation 💪 Discover how we prepare our patients physically and mentally for life in their ocean home at https://bit.ly/3Vjy2AJ.

Come seal-ebrate the 10th anniversary of our Hawaiian monk seal hospital, Ke Kai Ola! Join us in Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i for a celebratory conservation festival on Saturday, September 28 🌈🦭 We'll have community partners, live music, activities for keiki (children), tours, food trucks and more! 💃🍍🎶🎨🕺 Flights may not be free, but tickets are! Get yours now at https://bit.ly/3SGMx14. 📷 elenagraham.com

An outbreak of domoic acid, a potentially deadly neurotoxin, is affecting marine mammals along the central California coast. Our trained responders have already helped 150 animals, mainly California sea lions, in San Luis Obispo County and expect more to come. Here's what you need to know ⤵️ Most importantly ⚠️ it is critical for people, and their pets, to keep a safe distance of at least 50 yards from any marine mammal, sick or not. Look for 👀 symptoms of domoic acid poisoning like seizures, bobbing head (seen in this video), erratic behavior and lethargy. Report ☎️ marine mammals in distress to our hotline at 415-289-7325 🤳 Save it in your phone now! Our experts provide data to public health officials to help determine when a seafood warning is needed, but currently the toxic algal bloom is not a risk to humans. ↗️ Please share this post to help keep all of us, footed and flippered, safe on the beach. Learn more about this outbreak at https://bit.ly/4e1RUk3.

Susanne R. does an excellent job in this Los Angeles Times piece of capturing both the science and the passion of our work, and that of our partners up and down the West Coast. She sheds light on how our ocean system, and the forces that drive it, presents threats to marine mammals, and she stresses the importance of our readiness to respond. At The Marine Mammal Center, we’re familiar with the “busy” season but 2024 has truly tested our mettle!

We're teaming up with Santa Clara County Parks to explore and restore the South Bay 🌱 and we want YOU(r teen) 🫵 to join us! High school students will stroll through wetlands alongside interpretation rangers, take part in habitat restoration and discover the interconnectedness of our wetlands 💧 The program is completely free and we can sign community service forms. Space is limited, so reserve a spot for your ocean-loving student now at https://bit.ly/4d6i054.