The Rescue Process

The journey of a marine mammal patient often begins with a call from a concerned citizen or a trained volunteer. When an animal is reported stranded or in distress, the center's response team springs into action.

Initial Assessment

Upon arrival at the scene, trained professionals conduct a thorough assessment of the animal's condition, evaluating:

• Overall health and body condition
• Presence of injuries or signs of illness
• Age and species of the animal
• Environmental factors contributing to the stranding

Transportation

If the animal requires rehabilitation, it is carefully transported to the center using specialized equipment to ensure its safety and minimize stress during transit.

The Rehabilitation Center

Intake and Triage

New arrivals are taken to the triage area where veterinarians and trained staff:

• Conduct a thorough medical examination
• Take blood samples
• Assess hydration levels
• Determine a treatment plan

Medical Treatment

The veterinary team provides care, including:

• Administering medications and fluids
• Treating wounds or injuries
• Performing surgeries
• Providing nutritional support

Daily Care Routine

Feeding

Feeding routines are tailored to each species and age, including:

• Bottle feeding harbor seal pups every 4-6 hours
• Teaching older animals to eat fish
• Specialized diets or tube feeding when necessary

Cleaning and Maintenance

Daily cleaning ensures a healthy environment:

• Disinfecting pens and pools
• Changing bedding materials
• Monitoring water quality
• Managing waste

Monitoring and Record Keeping

Staff track each animal’s progress by:

• Recording weight, feeding amounts, and behavior
• Updating medical records

Specialized Care

Some patients require specialized care, including:

Orphaned Pups

Staff provide round-the-clock care, teaching survival skills while minimizing human interaction to prevent imprinting.

Critical Care Patients

Severely injured animals may need 24-hour monitoring, advanced procedures, or specialized equipment like oxygen therapy.

Research and Conservation

Rehabilitation centers contribute to conservation by:

• Collecting data on marine mammal health and diseases
• Studying environmental threats
• Improving rehabilitation techniques

Education and Outreach

Many centers focus on public education through:

• Tours and educational programs
• Marine conservation information
• Volunteer training in rescue and care

The Release Process

Rehabilitation culminates in returning animals to the wild. The team ensures:

• Minimal human contact in pre-release areas
• Ability to forage and behave naturally
• Optimal weather and tide conditions for release

Challenges and Emotional Toll

Working in marine mammal rehabilitation can be physically and emotionally demanding, but the dedication of staff and volunteers ensures the survival and well-being of countless marine mammals.