If you see a wild marine mammal that

may be in distress, call 415.289.SEAL


What you can do for a stranded marine mammal

  1. ‣Do not touch, pick up or feed the animal. Do not return the animal to the water.


  3. ‣Seals and sea lions temporarily “haul out” on land to rest and mothers briefly leave their pups while at sea. A beached whale or dolphin should be reported immediately.


  5. ‣Observe the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet. Keep people and dogs away. Marine Mammals can bite.


  7. ‣Note physical characteristics such as size, presence of external ears and fur color. This helps us determine the species and what rescue equipment and volunteers are needed.


  9. ‣Note the animal’s condition. Is it weak and gaunt? Any open wounds?


  11. ‣Does it have any obvious identification tags or markings?


  13. ‣Determine the exact location of the animal for accurate directions. We can’t rescue an animal if we can’t find it.


  15. ‣Call The Marine Mammal Center with as much information as you have.


About Marine Mammal Rescue

Founded in 1975, The Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured, sick and orphaned marine mammals (seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, whales and sea otters) along a six hundred mile stretch of the California coast, from Mendocino through San Luis Obispo counties. Before The Center was established, stranded marine mammals were either left to die or were destroyed as threats to public health. The Marine Mammal Center recognizes human interdependence with marine mammals and their importance as sentinels of the ocean environment, the health of which is essential for all life. It is our responsibility to use our awareness, compassion and intelligence to foster marine mammal survival and the conservation of their habitat. The Marine Mammal Center works toward this end:


  1. ‣Through rescue and humane treatment of ill, injured, or orphaned marine mammals, to return healthy animals to the wild


  1. ‣Through scientific inquiry, to increase knowledge of marine mammals, their health and their environment and assure their long-term survival


  1. ‣Through education and communication, to increase appreciation of marine mammals, foster informed decision-making affecting them, and inspire action to protect the marine environment.


To become a member of the Marine Mammal Centre visit their website:

http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/



Reproduced from the The Marine Mammal Center website.