Vote for Your Favorite Marine Mammal Patient of 2012!

So in honor of our brave and inspiring flippered friends we've created our very own "People's Choice Awards". Of the 522 patients we rescued last year, staff and volunteers have created a shortlist of six amazing animals for you to choose from. Who is your Patient of the Year 2012!

Cast your vote by Jan 31 and get a FREE marine mammal ringtone! We'll announce your favorite patient in our next e-newsletter! (Scroll to the bottom of this page to cast your vote.)

February 6, 2013

And the winner of the 2012 favorite Patient of the Year is - drum roll please... Old Ray!

Here's the breakdown of how the votes went:

Thanks to all who participated in this year's voting!

Old Ray © Dina Warren - The Marine Mammal Center	Old Ray - California Sea Lion Admitted: November 15, 2011 and re-stranded May 9, 2012 Diagnosis: Gunshot wounds - blind Sadly, when Old Ray stranded, his x-rays showed that his head was full of gunshot fragments. Amazingly, after a month of treatment at our hospital he was released, but unbelievably, was back at our hospital for treatment after he was found shot again! Blind in one eye, and with limited vision in the other, he could not survive in the ocean. Old Ray now has a permanent home at the Indianapolis Zoo where his caretakers love him.
Golden Missy © Jeff Robinson - The Marine Mammal Center	Golden Missy - Northern Fur Seal Rescued: July 31, 2012, north shore of Oahu, Hawaii Diagnosis: Bad location - lost Golden Missy was thousands of miles off course when she was rescued from the north shore of Oahu. She was quickly flown via Fed Ex to The Marine Mammal Center where our veterinarians checked her out and thankfully, found her to be healthy. After a little TLC, she was released at a beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore (much closer to home!).
On the Rocks © Adam Ratner - The Marine Mammal Center	On the Rocks - Pacific Harbor Seal Admitted: March 23, 2012 Diagnosis: Abandoned - malnourished When On the Rocks was rescued, he was just a few days old and weighed less than 14 lbs. We knew he was premature pup because his coat didn’t have any spots. Without his mom to feed him, On the Rocks had no chance to survive in the wild. After two months of care, he gained over 31 lbs in weight and once he graduated "Fish School" (where pups are given the time and opportunity to competitively catch and eat whole fish), On the Rocks was deemed healthy and strong enough to go back to his ocean home. 68 (62% ) harbor seal pups got a second chance at life in 2012 - a success record for The Marine Mammal Center.
Blonde Bomber © Ingrid Overgard - The Marine Mammal Center	Blonde Bomber - California Sea Lion Admitted: October 9, 2012 Diagnosis: Entanglment - dart rescue Blonde Bomber was spotted at PIER 39 with a plastic packing strap tightly wrapped around his neck. Our trained rescue team conducted a tricky rescue involving a special dart gun, and successfully captured Blonde Bomber on a floating dock. He was then transported to The Marine Mammal Center where veterinarians freed him from the noose and treated his wounds. After just a week of food and rest he was released at Rodeo Beach right near our hospital in the Marin Headlands.
Pilgrim © Ingrid Overgard - The Marine Mammal Center	Pilgrim - Northern Elephant Seal Admitted: November 11, 2012 Diagnosis: Bite mark wound - healed with honey Pilgrim was a 216 lb yearling elephant seal with a big bite wound on his back. Was it a shark or another elephant seal that bit him? We will never know, but the team rallied to help this seal recover. Veterinarians cleaned the wound and used honey to prevent infection and accelerate his healing process. Once healthy, Pilgrim was released back to the wild just before Thanksgiving.
Jax © Adam Ratner - The Marine Mammal Center	Jax- Guadalupe Fur Seal Admitted: April 20, 2012 Diagnosis: Bad location - weak and sick Cute Jax (with her Yoda-like ears) was a rare Guadalupe fur seal who was severely malnourished and had barnacles on her fur when she stranded. At barely 19 lbs, she was very underweight for her age. With lots of tender loving care and fish from our volunteers and staff, she gained weight and was successfully released in the Channel Islands; a wonderful protected breeding ground for fur seals.

Choose your favorite!

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