The Marine Mammal Center was founded in 1975 to provide care for stranded, sick, and entangled marine mammals along California’s coast from Guadalupe in Santa Barbara County to the northernmost point of Mendocino County. More than 800 volunteers help with approximately 75 creatures at the Morro Bay facility. Funding for the organization comes from private donations and memberships. Since 1975, more than 16,000 animals have been rescued and treated.
Volunteers need no prior experience with marine mammals, because training is free of charge. The four primary classes are assessment of marine mammals and field safety, beach rescue procedures and animal basic care and safety, pen boarding, and basic animal husbandry.
Lisa Harper Henderson is the Morro Bay facility manager. She said the organization is looking for part-time volunteers who are reliable and responsible and are older than 18. Henderson noted that besides the general satisfaction in volunteering, benefits include meeting people from all walks of life with a shared interest, and a tremendous education about marine mammals, husbandry, science, and the environment.
Volunteers also have an opportunity to work in all aspects of the center: rescue, animal care, transport, education/outreach, and development. They may also work on the crew and observe medical procedures performed by veterinarians at the Sausalito main hospital.
If you’re not interested in volunteering, you can still help by following these guidelines when encountering a stranded marine mammal at any of the beaches throughout California:
• Don’t touch, pick up, or feed the animal. They’re wild animals and they can bite. They’re also easily stressed by humans. Don’t return the animal to the water. Seals and sea lions temporarily haul out on land to rest. Harbor seal mothers often leave their pups ashore while they’re feeding at sea.
• Observe the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet. Keep people and dogs away.
• Note physical characteristics such as size, presence of external earflaps, and fur color. This helps determine the species and what rescue equipment and volunteers are needed.
• Note the animal’s condition. Is it weak and underweight? Are there any open wounds?
• Does the animal have any obvious identification tags or markings?
• Determine the exact location of the animal in order to provide accurate directions.
• Call the Marine Mammal Center at 415-289-SEAL (7325). The rescue hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Steve E. Miller is the Sun’s photographer. Send comments to semiller@newtimesslo.com.
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This article appears in Jan 13-20, 2011.