The Marine Mammal Center
Sandy Nichols
introduced P.J. Webb: She is a member of the Center's Stranding and Education Department Team operating out of the Morro Bay Triage Facility. She is a public interest attorney, lives in Cambria and works in ocean conservation, wildlife advocacy and nonprofit organization consultation.
The Center is the largest, non profit, foremost organization to care for marine mammals. Their mission is to rescue sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals and turtles. They cover 600 miles of coast line, from SLO at the Southern end to Montecito County in the north. The Center, located near Rodeo Beach in Marin County, rescues animals, conducts research by samples, rehabilitates and releases them back into the wild. By being involved, volunteers learn a lot about the ocean, animals and about themselves. They boast over 800 volunteers, 70 in SLO County.
Since its founding in 1975, the Center has received over 12,000 sick, wounded and orphaned animals. They started with kiddie pools and now
a new Marine Mammal Center is nearing completion! The Veterinary science building is nearly complete. It also features a new
animal care building, a Necropsy lab and a medical lab. The Life Support systems and animal pens are nearly complete. The transfer of animals to the new pens and pools is expected to happen in the next few months.
SLO County, with only 10% of coastline, admits 22% animals in need. In 2005, there were over 300 animals, such as sea lions, elephant seals, dolphins, porpoises, sea turtles and otters. Animals may suffer from malnutrition, injury, virus, lethargy, shark bites, parasites and other diseases; and, maternal separation.
The education outreach program reaches in excess of 100,000 school children and members of the general public each year, emphasizing man's connection to the marine environment.
To report an injured animal call 771-8300, 415-289-SEAL. To learn more: www.marineanimalcenter.org.