Surprising Visitors: Sea Turtle Strandings in the Pacific Northwest

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

A loggerhead sea turtle that was in care in the spring of 2024.

When someone says “sea turtle,” the environment conjured in many minds is a tropical turquoise ocean - not the rugged Pacific Northwest. Yet sea turtles can occur throughout the North Pacific. Several species spend years of their life swimming around the Pacific ocean, like loggerheads, leatherbacks, and green sea turtles. But while the open ocean is a natural habitat for these animals, our Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia beaches are not.

A map of sea turtle species ranges in North Pacific.

Sea turtles are marine reptiles, meaning their body temperature is dictated by the environment around them. A normal temperature for sea turtles is around 75°F, which is why they tend to stay in warmer offshore currents, even if they do meander northward. But occasionally, those warm areas can dissipate, or a turtle can get pushed off course during a storm. If that happens, they get stuck in colder water and become “cold stunned.” Lethargic, and unable to swim or dive, they can wash up on shore.

Over the last several years, there has been an increase in turtle strandings in the Pacific Northwest. SR3 alone admitted four sea turtles in 2024, while previous years had only seen one sea turtle come into care. We also admitted a loggerhead, a species that we had not previously cared for in the four seasons the Rescue Center has been open to patients.

Sea turtle strandings by species and year. This data is from 1989 to Feb. 2023, and includes live and dead strandings in Washington, Oregon and California. Data from NOAA.

Loggerheads are a rare species to see in this region. By February 2023, only 13 loggerheads had stranded, both alive and dead, since 1990. In 2024, additional strandings were added to that number, including the one that was rehabilitated at SR3.

As climate change touches every aspect of our environment, we can continue to expect the unexpected. Ocean warming can impact currents, storms, prey patterns, and other vital ocean conditions, making it harder for certain species and their usual life history patterns. For sea turtles, if you ever see one on shore in Washington or Oregon, it needs emergency medical care to survive. As threatened and endangered species, every individual is critical to the population, and SR3 stands ready all year long to help any in need, giving them a second chance to return to warmer waters.

Spring Update: Seasonal Health Monitoring of Southern Resident Killer Whales

By Dr. Holly Fearnbach, Marine Mammal Research Director

Aerial image of J pod siblings J51 and J62. J62 is a recent calf of J41 that was born into the endangered Southern Resident killer whale population in December 2024. Image obtained using an octocopter drone flown non-invasively at >100ft altitude during health research conducted under NMFS research permit # 22306

In recent months, the SR3 team has continued to collect important seasonal data on the endangered population of Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs). They have been able to non-invasively fly an octocopter drone over members of J and K pod to collect high resolution aerial images that are being measured to monitor the health of the population. This aerial photogrammetry study is now in its 18th year, making it the longest study to quantitatively monitor the health of SRKWs. SRKW use of the Salish Sea has significantly declined over the past decade, likely due to declines in the availability of Fraser River Chinook salmon, making this monitoring more and more challenging each year. Despite these challenges, the team has been extremely successful in collecting data throughout the year since 2020 and this year, in addition to regular field efforts in the San Juan Islands where the team lives, dedicated field efforts will also be conducted on Swiftsure Bank during the summer and Puget Sound during the fall.  

In March 2025, SR3 shared their annual SRKW health monitoring report with management colleagues, providing annual updates on both individual and population level body condition. Results in this report were based on data that were collected in the summer and fall and analyzed in the context of the entire study period. These annual reports are shared with management agencies in both the US and Canada, with an objective of helping inform management actions aimed at the recovery of SRKWs, such as fisheries management decisions and vessel regulations. Unfortunately, the team documented a continued declining trend in SRKW body condition, with almost one third of the population found to be in poor body condition. This includes continued pod-level declines for J pod for the fifth year in a row and L pod for the second year in a row. The majority of the whales in both J and L pods were in poor body condition for the second year in a row. SRKWs found to be in poor body condition have an elevated likelihood of mortality, making it imperative that SRKWs have access to an adequate supply of prey throughout the year. The team will continue their year round SRKW health monitoring and reporting and hope to see improvements in SRKW condition in the coming months.

Pupping Season Coming to a Shore Near You

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

A harbor seal pup held by animal care staff during her initial medical exam at SR3.

Arriving at the Rescue Center in the afternoon of May 18th, this days-old pup marks the start of harbor seal pupping season.

The fifth patient of the year, this harbor seal pup is a case of maternal abandonment, meaning she was separated from her mom before she was able to survive on her own in the wild. Maternal abandonment can often happen due to human disturbance, if people or their pets get too close to these marine mammals as they rest on beaches.

This pup weighs 13 pounds, about half the weight she should have been at birth and when nursing from her mom. This malnourishment is certainly a challenge to overcome, but after receiving fluids and regular meals for several days she is bright and alert and we are hopeful she will continue to improve. 

To keep moms and pups together in the wild, please stay far away from marine mammals and keep your pets on a leash.

Field Medicine for an Injured Marine Mammal

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

A male California sea lion, named Oscar by marina staff (top), resting with another male of the same species in the Des Moines marina on February 20th.

For the past couple years, a male California sea lion has visited Des Moines Marina annually. Recognizable by a branded number on his back, he’s been coined Oscar by the marina staff. This year, Oscar showed up in January with clear injuries to his face, including his jaw.

Oscar on February 3rd, his jaw visibly injured, but alert and robust.

Male California sea lions are hundreds of pounds, and Oscar liked to rest on the very end of marina docks, meaning he would have to be sedated in order to be brought to the Rescue Center. Despite his injuries, his body condition was fairly robust, suggesting he was still able to eat, so we decided to monitor him in the wild before bringing him into care. With regular updates from the marina staff and active field photography efforts from SR3, we were able to keep an eye on Oscar for over two months.

Despite marine mammals' incredible ability to heal themselves, unfortunately, Oscar’s body condition and attitude began to decline in March as he likely fought off infection from his injuries. Since sedation and transport to the Rescue Center presented their own risks in Oscar’s circumstance, it was determined that the best course of action for him would be to inject him with a long-lasting antibiotic in the field.

Using a pressurized injection pole, experts can administer the antibiotic quickly and from a few feet away. But he was still a wild animal and aware of his surroundings, so the challenge then boiled down to one objective: sneaking up on him.

On March 24th, SR3 staff made their moves, preparing the medication and equipment. Oscar was resting on the end of a dock farther inside the marina than usual, and with the help of marina staff, we decided to approach him from behind via rowboat. When the boat was a few feet away, Oscar noticed the field crew and slid into the water.

Oscar: 1, SR3: 0

Des Moines Marina and SR3 staff approaching Oscar in a row boat.

Shortly after, he returned to the end of his usual dock in the marina, and a second attempt was made from the structure on foot. He spooked again.

Oscar: 2, SR3: 0 

The following day, he was resting again in his usual location, and a third attempt was made - this time with success! Over the course of several minutes, SR3 staff were able to slowly approach Oscar and inject him in his hindquarters, administering the antibiotic to him in less than a second.

SR3 staff use a pole to inject antibiotics into a male California sea lion on the end of the dock.

Immediately after the injection, he was seen floating in the marina, thermoregulating with his flippers reaching out of the water - a natural behavior for sea lions.

This round of antibiotics lasted 7-10 days, and if Oscar returns to the marina or surrounding shore, he will be given another dose if necessary. If his condition has continued to decline, he will be reassessed to determine if bringing him into the Rescue Center is the best course of action. Hopefully, with the power of medicine and Oscar’s own ability to heal, he has recovered from his injuries and illness and continues to be a part of the local environment and a beloved member of this marine neighborhood.

Sentinels of Ocean Health

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

Dozens of harbor seals rest on a kelp-covered rock in the ocean.

Humans depend on the ocean for the air we breathe, for weather and climate, for food, for recreation, and so much more. This dependency means that if the ocean is unhealthy, then we are likely to become so as well. But often, humans are not the first ones to show the warning signs of an issue in the marine environment - instead, that warning will come from the animals that reside in it. By studying these animals, the seals and whales, the turtles and otters, we can understand more about the state of the sea.

Pet Waste, Parasites, and Bacteria

Marine mammals and humans coexist around the world - but where humans are, our pets are as well. And so is our pet waste, which can cause detrimental side effects for marine mammal populations.

Toxoplasma is a parasite that can transfer to marine mammals from cat poop when it washes into the ocean or is flushed down the toilet, and has had fatal effects on sea otters, seals, and whales around the world. While some parasites are a natural part of the marine environment, they can also overwhelm an animal if their immune system is compromised, like in the case of SR3’s second patient of the year.

Animal care staff spreading antibiotic gel on the umbilical cord of a harbor seal pup.

At the SR3 Rescue Center, harbor seal pups are the most common patient to come through our doors, and many of them are facing issues that are from, or exacerbated by, water quality including infections, parasites, and other illnesses. Pups, like humans, have an umbilical cord when they’re born. This is an open wound that is susceptible to bacterial infection until it dries up and falls off naturally - the more bacteria there is in the water (yes, from your poop as well) the harder it is to keep this, or any, wound free of infection.

This is one of the reasons why the water used in the Rescue Center’s pools goes through a powerful filtration system. Because our patient’s health is already compromised, we want to ensure they have a clean environment. As John McCoy, our Life Support Systems Technician explains, “we deal with animals who are already sick or injured. Providing an environment free of bacteria and viruses will allow their bodies to heal without the possibility of introducing a new illness.”

John records water quality data from one of our pool filtration systems at the Rescue Center.

Harmful Algal Blooms

SR3 staff in California - Sydney, Animal Husbandry Technician, prepping for a sea lion feed, along with Sydney and Dr. Michelle Rivard, a past SR3 veterinarian who is now Marine Mammal Care Center’s Director of Animal Health & Conservation, on the beach for a patient release.

Like parasites, algae is a natural part of the ocean, but too much of a good thing can sometimes tip an environment into trouble. In the past several years, California has seen large toxic algae blooms produce a chemical called domoic acid, which makes its way into the food chain and leads to neurological issues in marine mammals. These blooms and their effects are impacting populations of marine wildlife, and human-caused issues like climate change or nutrient runoff from fertilizers and sewage can make it more likely for these blooms to occur.

In years with particularly intense blooms, like this year, our animal care staff travels down to help marine mammal rehabilitation centers in California as they get an influx of domoic acid patients. This partnership, made possible because of our community supporters, provides critical support during this emergency and also ensures we’re ready for events like this if climate change causes them to occur in Washington waters.

How can you help?

As John says of the Rescue Center, “it's up to us to create a clean and safe environment for animals to heal, allowing them the best opportunity to return to the wild.” And this sentiment applies to global waters as well - we’re the ones that can ensure the ocean is healthy for everyone who lives in it and depends on it. Here are a few small things you can do that can make a difference:

• Pick up your pet poo and dispose of it properly. Find out more about poo-lution at zeropoo.com

• Adopt a storm drain to help keep trash, oil, and debris out of our waterways.

• Keep your pets on a leash. Diseases can transfer between our furry friends and our local wildlife. Keep both parties safe by leashing your pets along beaches and shorelines.

• Pump up your tires. As your vehicle tires wear down, they release a toxin into nearby streams. By keeping your tires inflated, you prolong the life of the tires and reduce the amount of toxins that will enter the environment.

• Support marine wildlife. Help care for animals impacted by human activities by donating today.

2024 Marine Wildlife Success Stories

by Rachel Bishop, Development and Communications Officer

Tinkerbell the harbor seal pup rests on the beach as she returns to the ocean. NOAA Permit #24359.

Since the doors of SR3’s SeaLife Rescue Center first opened in 2021, together we have gone from finding our footing to building real momentum.

Below are the highlights from our 2024 Impact Report to supporters like you. Behind each of these numbers is the face of an animal like Tinkerbell (above) who was protected thanks to this generous community.

And every success is a reflection of the progress we’ve made together - for the oceans, for marine animals, and for the future of conservation!

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342 RESPONSE CALLS ANSWERED

Veterinarian Michelle keeps Zaratan’s head above water during a feeding attempt early on in care. USFWS #0009803-0.

Zaratan - an endangered loggerhead sea turtle - was one of many marine animals who received emergency response services thanks to your support. When she washed ashore in Oregon after becoming hypothermic in our cold Pacific Northwest waters, our team drove overnight to bring her to safety.

During her time in care, Zaratan regained her mobility and appetite, recovered from pneumonia, and ultimately she returned to warmer waters off the coast of Southern California.

As rising water temperatures are forcing endangered animals like Zaratan to shift their habitats, your support allows us to serve as boots-on-the-ground responders to the climate crisis.

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61 REHABILITATION PATIENTS ADMITTED

Griffin’s return to the ocean, a satellite tracker glued to his back. NOAA Permit #24359.

Griffin, our first patient of the harbor seal pupping season, was diagnosed with megaesophagus - a condition historically considered a death sentence for seals. But thanks to a groundbreaking new treatment, Griffin defied the odds.

After 152 days at the Rescue Center, Griffin returned to the ocean after overcoming a condition that once would have made it impossible for him to recover and swim free again.

Fueled by your compassion, SR3 was the first in the region to successfully treat this previously fatal disorder in harbor seals. A total of three patients with megaesophagus were treated this year and released back to the wild!

Staff and volunteers celebrate Griffin’s release.

“Each seal pup was incredibly special… It was such a rewarding experience to be part of their journey and see the progress they made.”

— SR3 Volunteer

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10 RESEARCH PROJECTS ADVANCED

Through research projects on a wide range of whale and dolphin populations around the world, together we advanced global ocean conservation by shedding light on the effects of climate change and other human-caused threats.

J pod Southern Resident killer whales in July 2024. Image obtained using an octocopter drone that was flown non-invasively >100ft above the whales under NMFS research permit 22306 and DFO Research License MML-50.

For the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs), our researchers collected critical health data in ten months out of the year, triggering urgent protections for 16 vulnerable whales essential to the population’s survival.

With your support of the research driving these emergency measures over the past four years, together we played a key role in securing a new law that will help safeguard all SRKWs in Washington waters by requiring boats to give them extra space starting in January 2025.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Over the year, volunteers contributed 8,810 hours to rescuing and protecting marine life, equating to a value of $295,047!

Through this time and dedication, 9,751 people were educated on ocean health, 14,000+ meals were delivered to patients at the Rescue Center, and much more.

17.6 pounds was the average weight of rehabilitated pups at intake

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49.4 pounds was the average weight of rehabilitated pups at release

SR3’s 2024 FINANCIALS

Animal care staff KC (left) teaches past intern and volunteer Sam (right) how to feed a harbor seal progressing through fish school. NOAA Permit #24359.

Your generosity made it possible to save all of the animals pictured here, and created a ripple of benefits for many others who are still depending on us. Thank you!

The Invisible Threats

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

Harbor seal 25-2 on Alki Beach, Seattle, in January. Photo taken by community member James Tilley.

You see a harbor seal alone on the beach. They seem to be alert and able to move. They’re lifting their head and hind flippers, a sign that the seal has enough energy to be able to regulate their temperature.

But what is normal for a harbor seal? Is something wrong?

In the case of SR3’s second patient of the year, 25-2, yes something was wrong. This harbor seal was doing all the actions mentioned above, yet she was also skinny and didn’t have any visible moisture around her eyes. This suggests dehydration and, along with her malnourishment, is an indicator of potential illness.

A harbor seal pup at the beginning of care without moisture rings around their eyes, and then the same seal later in care, now well hydrated with visible dark rings around their eyes.

Wild animals are skilled at hiding their illnesses until they are extremely sick, so we can’t see every issue an animal is facing during field observation. In the case of 25-2, it turns out that she wasn’t just dehydrated, she also had respiratory and urogenital infections that were discovered during her full exam at the Rescue Center. A blood test confirmed these infections, and a fecal sample showed us that she was battling parasites as well. 

Marine mammals are exposed to parasites through the food they eat, so we tend to see more of them in our patients who are old enough to eat fish. While parasites are a natural part of being a marine mammal in the wild, they can also overwhelm an animal if they have a lowered immune system due to things like injuries, infections or toxins. 25-2 unfortunately died a week into her care, and once an animal autopsy was conducted, we discovered she had thorny-headed worms, a harmful parasite that causes intestinal bleeding and infection. Some studies have also connected thorny-headed worms to heavy metals, PCBs, high nutrient loads, and other environmental pollution.

25-2 in a transport tote on her way to a medical exam at the Rescue Center.

Which leads us to another struggle that 25-2 was facing: humans. 

Millions of people live in the Puget Sound, which means there is going to be a crossover between the locations where marine mammals like to rest and where people like to recreate, especially for animals that are already sick or injured and have less energy to avoid people. Therefore, the responsibility falls on people to ensure the animal’s safety from manmade dangers. 25-2 came to rest on a very populated beach in Seattle, and while she was brought into care before any direct human interaction impacted her on the beach, we have admitted other patients who suffered dog bites, gunshots, boat strikes, and other negative human-animal events. 

No matter the species, their location, or their story, sick and injured animals deserve medical attention to determine what is wrong, especially since it is frequently human-caused. Though 25-2 didn’t survive, she still provides a legacy both for scientific research and marine mammal medicine. She helps us learn about the issues marine wildlife are facing and how we can work to mitigate those threats. She is an example of an animal that, while alert on the beach, was still in need of care. Because of this, we always encourage you to call response professionals anytime you are concerned about an animal.

What should you do if you see a marine mammal on the beach?

• Stay far away - if they look at you, you’re too close

• Keep your pets on a leash

• If you notice an injury, signs of illness, or anything else that concerns you, call your local marine mammal response organization

• Kindly let others in the area know to give the animal space

Volunteering at SR3

By Jesse Katz-Klug, Volunteer Coordinator

Six animal husbandry volunteers in their dish gloves and slickers smile for a photo during a sunny summer shift. NOAA Permit #24359.

Interested in a meaningful way to get involved? 

SR3 is excited to offer expanded volunteer opportunities for anyone (18+) to join - no prior experience required! 

Whether you're eager to train for a hands-on role in animal husbandry or prefer to support our mission behind the scenes, there’s a place for you. Each position plays a vital role with unique requirements to ensure the safety and success of your shift. Please note that all roles are currently in-person only.

If you wish to join the SR3 Volunteer Class of 2025 in any capacity, you will need to submit an application (if you haven’t done so already), and complete our orientation by watching a video and confirming your interest through an online form by Monday, April 7th, 2025. If it is after April 7th, you can still fill out an application in order to get all the communications to join us next year!

Ready to make a difference? Explore the many ways you can contribute and become part of the SR3 team.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Animal Husbandry volunteers are key to our patients' recovery during their stay at SR3’s SeaLife Rescue Center in Des Moines, WA. Volunteers can expect to clean equipment and enclosures, prepare and deliver food to patients, and observe and occasionally assist with medical procedures. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in marine animal husbandry, wildlife veterinary care, or learning about marine species through direct observation.

MARINE MAMMAL STEWARDS

Marine Mammal Stewards is cooperatively run by SR3 and MaST Center Aquarium. These volunteers run all-ages activities on the beach to inspire change for a healthier ocean, largely in the marina and Redondo Beach areas of Des Moines. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in environmental education, and like talking to people.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

Education & Outreach volunteers will share SR3’s work from a booth during community events and festivals, talk about marine animals to members of the public, and communicate conservation actions that benefit marine wildlife. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in environmental education, like talking to people, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Digital Media volunteers expand SR3’s sphere of influence by collecting the images, sounds, and videos that we use to share our story with the world. Volunteers will collect media around the Rescue Center, during events, and at patient releases for use on SR3’s social media, newsletter, and print materials. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in photography and videography, have experience with editing visual and auditory assets, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.

LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS 

A sealife hospital contains a lot of moving parts - and the more a part moves, the more maintenance it needs. Life Support Systems volunteers help keep our physical infrastructure functioning so that the tents, enclosures, pipes, pumps, filters, and equipment all work to provide a healthy environment for the marine creatures in SR3’s care to recover. ✅ Great for volunteers who are looking to enter a career in life-sciences, are interested in engineering and construction, or like solving problems and working with their hands.

CONSTRUCTION

Construction volunteers ensure our patients have the space and safety to heal by improving our site with facility upgrades and additions. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in engineering and construction or like solving problems and working with their hands.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Administrative volunteers support SR3 through various projects and tasks at our facility in Des Moines. These volunteers cover our phone line, help with merchandise orders, fundraising, data collection and input, and other administrative projects. ✅ Great for volunteers who want to grow their non-profit management skills, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.

Ready to take the next step?

Each volunteer role has specific commitments and shift minimums during our peak season (June - October). To help you find the best fit, complete position descriptions - including responsibilities, shift requirements, training timelines, benefits, and more - are available on Volunteer Impact. 

If you have questions, ideas, or just want to connect, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Jesse Katz-Klug, our Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@sr3.org.

Naga Overcomes the Odds

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

Naga the harbor seal pup rests on a pillow in her personal enclosure during the first week of her care.

Naga, a harbor seal pup initially suffering from maternal separation and malnutrition, came to the Rescue Center on August 8th. Shortly into her time in care, we discovered that she also had a disorder called megaesophagus, where the esophagus dilates and loses its ability to move food from the mouth to the stomach. Naga was the fourth patient this summer to be diagnosed with this disorder. Luckily, two of the harbor seals prior to Naga were successfully treated and returned to the wild, and after several months of daily medications, Naga improved as well.

To diagnose this disorder we take x-rays of the patients. The enlarged esophagus is visible in the x-rays, and with successful treatment, we can see the esophagus shrink back to its normal size.

X-rays of Naga’s chest. A red arrow in the first two images points to her megaesophagus. It gets smaller in the middle image and her esophagus has returned to its normal size by the third.

Naga returns to the wild in Hood Canal, close to where she was rescued.

Since the Rescue Center opened in 2021, Naga holds the record for the patient we’ve had in care for the longest. But after 163 days of treatment, learning to feed herself, and gaining weight, she returned to the wild.

Naga was released with a satellite tracker glued to the fur on her back, so each time she floats at the surface of the water or rests on a shoreline, we receive information about her location. Since her release in mid-January, she has explored Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet and central Puget Sound in Washington State. Stay tuned for more updates as we see where Naga goes from here!

A map of Naga’s locations in the Puget Sound for the month after her release. After data was collected for this map, she traveled to Seattle!

Another Successful Season in the Antarctic Peninsula

Aerial images of a social group of humpback whales (left) and a solitary Antarctic minke whale (right). Aerial images were collected non-invasively from > 100ft above the whales using remotely-controlled hexacopter drone. Research conducted under NMFS Permit # 22306 and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit ACA 20220-010.

The SR3 team recently completed a successful research season in the Antarctic Peninsula onboard the M/V National Geographic Explorer. This research extends a long-term study to assess the health and population status of top predators (killer whales) and health of top consumers (humpback and minke whales) in the rapidly-warming waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. The team was able to collect aerial photogrammetry and photo-identification images of 10 individual Type A killer whales, including a predation event on an adult male elephant seal. In addition to elephant seals, Type A killer whales are also known to prey on Antarctic minke whales. Many of these individuals were last seen in 2015, so this sighting provides important information for monitoring the survival and long-term trends in population status of this ecotype. Several new calves were documented and most individuals were observed to be in robust body condition- both good indicators that they have access to an adequate supply of prey. The team was also able to collect photo-identification images of two small groups of Type B1 and B2 killer whales and aerial photogrammetry images of 26 humpback whales, 10 Antarctic minke whales, and one Antarctic blue whale. Aerial images will be measured to estimate size, monitor growth and assess body condition of individual whales, while photo-identification images will be used to estimate and monitor trends in population abundance over time. A new addition to the project this year was the collection of humpback whale feces to describe gut microbiome. The team was able to collect and successfully extract and sequence DNA from two samples using remote sequencing technology. This research is funded by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund (LEX-NG Fund).

Aerial images of Type A killer whales during a predation event on an adult male elephant seal in the nearshore waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Images show the attack on the elephant seal (left and top right) and whales carrying pieces of seal blubber post-kill (bottom right). Aerial images were collected non-invasively from > 100ft above the whales using remotely-controlled hexacopter drone. Research conducted under NMFS Permit # 22306 and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit ACA 20220-010.