Al Dente's Holiday Miracle

Hopeful, determined, and full of joy, you could say that Al Dente perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the holidays. He arrived at the Rescue Center malnourished and severely injured - with a skull fracture, infected wounds, and pneumonia.

But thanks to intensive, expert care - fueled by your compassion - Al Dente defied the odds.

Watch Al Dente Return Home for the Holidays - Thanks to YOU! >>

Looking for an instant, last-minute holiday gift?

Share Al Dente's inspiring story with a loved one by purchasing his brand-new, virtual adoption kit!

Click here to give the gift of a second chance.

Monitoring Killer Whale Body Condition and Predicting Calf Survival

A calf, K47, was recently born into K pod of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) and is likely the offspring of K36.

Check out this amazing video of SR3's research team at work, captured by Orca Conservancy all the way from shore! SRKWs are in the foreground, with our orange research vessel in the background, catching the drone after a scientific flight.

Concern for the survival of this calf is high because of deaths in recent years, but the more robust the mom is, the greater the calf's chance of survival.

With the help of ocean heroes like you, our research team uses drones to non-invasively monitor the health of SRKWs throughout the year.

Check Out Our Most Recent Body Condition Measurements of K36 >>

Thousands of New Ocean Stewards Inspired

SR3’s on-the-beach education program was a wild success this year.

Marine Mammal Stewards, as the program is called, started in 2023 in collaboration with MaST Center Aquarium when our organizations saw a need to reach out to locals about marine animals in the area. 

Over the past three summers, the program has grown from one beach location to five, and from 800 annual interactions with beachgoers to more than 6,000 this year!

Read More about this Record-breaking Summer >>

The community gathers around SR3's Marine Mammal Stewards station as a humpback whale swims past.

A Preventable Tragedy in the Puget Sound

The most heartbreaking patients at SR3 are the ones that are harmed directly by human actions, especially when the harm is entirely preventable. This could be entanglement, pupnapping, or in the case of a juvenile harbor seal that came into care this fall, gunshot wounds.

Sadly, shootings are not uncommon among seals and sea lions. They are often linked to conflicts with local fisheries and the misguided belief that these animals are outcompeting them.

The injured side of harbor seal patient Pool Noodle’s face, including his damaged eye and a lump in his jaw we confirmed was a bullet.

Despite eating over sixty species of sea creatures, seals and sea lions have been scapegoated for the decline of salmon in the area, an issue far more accurately tied to complex causes such as habitat destruction, overfishing and warming rivers. 

Read Pool Noodle's Story >>

Make a Holiday Tribute Gift

Want to send a personalized marine mammal holiday card right to your loved one’s inbox?

Make a donation in someone’s honor - and best of all - your gift will be matched up to $40,000 by a pool of generous supporters!

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*