ABC7: You Might Be Unintentionally Harming Young Marine Mammals, Rescue Center Says
- Behavior
- Natural history
Published by ABC7: April 25, 2024
Juvenile seals and sea lions have no trouble making themselves heard. But deciphering the traumatic events that landed them at the Marine Mammal Center Hospital in Sausalito takes some detective work.
"So each springtime we see a lot of young seals and sea lions needing the Marine Mammal Center's help," said conservation engagement director Adam Ratner. "So they're being separated from mom prematurely. Layered on top of that is that there are lots of animals out on the beach and a lot of people out on the beaches as well."
He added that they are often alone and vulnerable when they're rescued.
They are also victims of human interaction that's both unintentional and preventable.
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.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Harbor seals\/2013\/cropped-images\/hs-bogey-by-ingrid-overgard-c-the-marine-mammal-center-371-0-2712-2118-1607385758.jpg","alt":"harbor seal Bogey","title":"Top Holiday Gifts for Ocean Lovers","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/top-eco-friendly-holiday-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2026-11-02 01:00:00"}
{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Volunteers\/cslpangorescuephoto-c-niko-panagopoulos-35.jpg","alt":"California sea lion rescue","title":"The Marine Mammal Center Responds to Largest Domoic Acid Outbreak in Its History","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/the-marine-mammal-center-responds-to-largest-domoic-acid-outbreak-in-its-history","label":"News Update","date":"2026-10-28 02:00:00"}
The Marine Mammal Center Responds to Largest Domoic Acid Outbreak in Its History
October 28, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Humpback whale\/humpback-whale-spout-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center.jpg","alt":"Humpback whale spout","title":"A Collaboration to Protect Whales and Support California\u2019s Dungeness Crab Fishery","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/collaboration-to-protect-whales-and-support-californias-dungeness-crab-fishery","label":"Press Release","date":"2026-10-22 02:00:00"}
A Collaboration to Protect Whales and Support California’s Dungeness Crab Fishery
October 22, 2026
Read More{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Response\/cropped-images\/c-common-dolphin93026cuesta-inlet-in-morro-bayphoto-c-the-marine-mammal-center-noaa-mmhsrp-24359-0-399-1270-992-1790883642.jpg","alt":"Stranded dolphin response","title":"Three Common Dolphins Freed from Mudflats in Morro Bay","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/three-common-dolphins-freed-from-mudflats-in-morro-bay","label":"News Update","date":"2026-10-02 02:00:00"}