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Avian Influenza Detected at Año Nuevo State Park

A small number of young northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park recently tested positive for H5N1, also known as bird flu. This is the first detection of H5N1 in California’s marine mammal population.

The risk of H5N1 to the public remains very low. We’re sharing guidance on how to protect yourself, your pets and marine mammals – and how you can help.

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Elephant seal
three harbor seal pups
  • Our Patients

27,000+ Animals Rescued To-Date

We care for patients 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and answer 10,000+ calls to our rescue hotline annually, thanks to support from people like you.

Current Patient Count

  • Sea lion icon 12
    Sea Lions
  • Hawaiian Monk Seal icon 3
    Hawaiian Monk Seals
  • Fur seal icon 1
    Fur Seals
  • Elephant seal icon 1
    Elephant Seals
  • Harbor seal icon
    Harbor Seals
  • Sea otter icon
    Sea Otters

Yes, I want to save a life!

Yes, I want to save a life!

You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.

  • $35 You'll buy food for a hungry animal
  • $45 You'll provide life-saving medical care
  • $65 You'll make second chances possible

Recent Patients

Pacific harbor seal Sionna

Sionna

Harbor Seal — Female
Released
southern sea otter Paddlewan
threatened

Paddlewan

Southern Sea Otter — Male
Released
northern fur seal Flappy

Flappy

Northern Fur Seal — Female
Released
southern sea otter Spinny
threatened

Spinny

Southern Sea Otter — Male
Released
adopt a seal harbor seal meringue

Adopt a past patient to give current and future patients a second chance at life!

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Research Insight

Marine Mammal Health, Ocean Health and Human Health Are Linked

Our 27,000+ rescues reveal critical insights about the health of our ocean. The Center’s research scientists have been primary or contributing authors on hundreds of peer-reviewed articles on marine mammal health, generating research findings and scientific outputs at volumes similar to an academic research laboratory. See some of our recent publications: