Skip to main content

Join Our Whale-y Big Celebration!

We’re celebrating whales all month long!

Dive in with us during the month of March as we highlight the largest marine mammals: whales! Learn fun facts about these gentle giants, what conservation efforts are helping to protect them, ways you can be a whale champion and more.

Sign Up
southern sea otter Spinny
threatened

Spinny

Southern Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris

Book a Tour to Meet Our Patients

Southern sea otter Spinny was brought to our hospital for rehabilitative care after being found exhausted and suffering from shark bite wounds. Spinny’s injuries prevented him from grooming properly, which is an important behavior in the wild because a sea otter’s only defense against chilly ocean water is its thick fur. 

Needing hands-on care, Spinny was housed in our sea otter tote, an area specially designed for our most vulnerable sea otter patients. In fact, he was the first patient to use this tote as part of a treatment regimen. From the air temperature to the water level, the tote can be customized for a patient’s needs—perfect for a sea otter like Spinny that couldn’t stay warm! 

As Spinny started to heal, he was moved to a deeper pool so he could get more exercise and regain his strength. After nearly three months of care, Spinny was released back to the wild with a second chance at life.

Adopt Spinny



photo by Bill Hunnewell © The Marine Mammal Center / USFWS permit MA101713-1

Age at Admit
Juvenile
Weight at Admit
13.60 kgs
Sex
Male
Rescue Location
Pismo State Beach (North Beach Campground) - Oceano, San Luis Obispo
Diagnosis
Anemia, Trauma, Enteropathy, Hypoglycemia
Admitted
08/28/2021
Status
Released
Release Date
11/10/2021
Release Location
Avila Beach

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

Meet Similar Patients

threatened

Toph

Southern Sea Otter — Female
Current Patient

Ryjules

Harbor Seal — Female
Released
northern fur seal Turgon

Turgon

Northern Fur Seal — Female
Released