Our Patients in The Wild

Pacific Marine Mammal Center recently received grant funds to purchase 2 satellite tracking devices to help us better understand where our patients go once they are released. Below you will find detailed information about the whereabouts of a few of our patients now that they have returned home.

Jimmy

Jimmy, a 6-8 month old Male California Sea Lion was rescued by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) Rescue Team at 1:45pm at Cotton’s Point, San Clemente, CA. At his intake exam Jimmy weighed 30 lbs., and was 38” long. PMMC Veterinarian and Animal Care Staff determined that Jimmy was suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, was hypothermic (cold), and hypoglycemic (low blood sugar). He was immediately warmed up and treated. A medical plan consisting of tubing’s of clear fluids, special fish formulas and being taught how to eat fish was implemented. Over the next 3.5 months, Jimmy responded to treatment and was ready for release. Jimmy was medically cleared for release, tagged with an orange flipper tag #22444 in his left front flipper and thru a collaborative agreement with Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, a SPLASH Satellite tag was attached to his fur for post release monitoring. . It is hoped that the satellite tag on Manny, one of four satellite tags presently deployed on sea lions by PMMC, will assist scientists in determining the answer to the unusual mortality event that has been ongoing since January 2013.

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Roscoe

At 5:15 pm on March 8th, 2013, members of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) Rescue Team responded to a  California Sea Lion stranded on Newport Beach. By 6:00pm, Zc-13-03-08-090 or “Roscoe” arrived at PMMC and was being examined by the staff Veterinarian and Animal Care Staff. He was 38lbs and 42” long and was suffering from emaciation (underweight) and dehydration.  Roscoe started his journey through rehabilitation and was immediately started on tubing’s of clear fluids, gradually fed a more nutritious fish formula and then taught to eat fish. Soon Roscoe, the 90th sea lion admitted to PMMC, was competing with his pen mates; eating in the big pools and putting on much need weight. After 2.5 months, he was medically cleared, tagged in the front left flipper with Orange Flipper Tag #22464.  With a SPOT5 Satellite Tag provided by Whalenet and further collaboration with the Riverhead Foundation, we will be able to monitor Roscoe post release. On May 7th, 2013, Roscoe weighing 83 lbs. was release at Crescent Bay, Laguna Beach California. It is hoped that the satellite tag on Roscoe, one of four satellite tags presently deployed on sea lions by PMMC, will assist scientists in determining the answer to the unusual mortality event that has been ongoing since January 2013.

Martha

Martha, a 6-8 month old female California Sea Lion was rescued by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) Rescue Team at 6:15 pm from Crescent Bay, Laguna, CA. At her intake exam Martha weighed 31 lbs., and was 37” long. PMMC Veterinarian and Animal Care Staff, determined that Martha was suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. A medical plan consisting of tubing’s of clear fluids, special fish formulas and being taught how to eat fish was implemented. Over the next 3 months, Martha responded to treatment and was ready for release. She was medically cleared for release, tagged with an orange flipper tag #22463 in her right front flipper and thru a collaborative agreement with Riverhead Foundation; a SPLASH Satellite tag was attached to her for post release monitoring. It is hoped, that the satellite tag on Martha, one of four satellite tags presently deployed on sea lions by PMMC, will assist scientists in determining the answer to the unusual mortality event that has been ongoing since January 2013.

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