SeaLife Updates: June 2024
Dragon Returned to her Ocean Palace!
Dragon was our first harbor seal patient in 2024 - rescued thanks to the support of people like you!
Dragon was malnourished and struggling with parasites and pneumonia when she arrived at the Rescue Center in March. Though she was likely born last fall and already weaned from her mother, she weighed about as much as a newborn harbor seal pup at her intake exam.
Her prognosis was guarded, but Dragon showed us that she had the supernatural strength of her namesake!
With the support of this life-saving community, she received two months of intensive medical care and recovered from her illnesses.
Against all odds, fragile pups transform into fierce dragons because of your support.
Dragon putting her fierceness on display while interacting with the fake kelp in her pool.
Click here to watch Dragon return to her palace under the sea >>
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Rescued
In early April, this endangered loggerhead sea turtle was admitted to SR3's Rescue Center after becoming hypothermic in our cold Pacific Northwest waters.
With a body temperature 20°F below what it should have been, she was lethargic and unable to swim or eat.
After a little over a month in care, this turtle warmed back up to her normal temperature, regained her mobility and appetite, and recovered from pneumonia!
She is currently in the final stage of her rehabilitation at SeaWorld San Diego, where she's gaining more strength and weight before her release.
With diligent care and caring donations, endangered sea turtles are homebound for warmer waters because of your support.
Remember: Sea turtles should never be on the beach in Washington or Oregon. If you see one on land, report it immediately to the Stranding Network at 1-866-767-6114 so it can get emergency care.
Vital Research Advanced in the Atlantic
While SR3's home base is in the Salish Sea, we also support research efforts in other oceans!
Dr. James Powell, SR3's Response Manager, assisted with bottlenose dolphin health assessments in Sarasota Bay, Florida in May.
Participating in these projects contributes to a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of dolphin and porpoise populations, as well as the human impacts on them. It also improves our ability to care for similar species in the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Powell holds a dolphin in the water prior to release following its health assessment. Photo by Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, taken under National Marine Fisheries Service Scientific Research Permit No. 20455.
Dr. Rivard on a rainy day on Sable Island, with a weaned gray seal pup and wild horses in the background. Photo permitted under Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Earlier this year, SR3's marine mammal veterinarian, Dr. Michelle Rivard, spent two months on Sable Island in Nova Scotia advancing gray seal research.
Dr. Rivard was not only able to contribute her unique expertise to this project, but also learn from collaborators, transferring a knowledge base to the Pacific Northwest that we can apply to our local seals and sea lions.
Click here to read more about this field research project >>
Meet Mermaid and Friends
Mermaid was recently admitted to the Rescue Center after being separated from her mother when she should have still been nursing.
The best place for seal pups is with their mothers in the wild, but sadly, we receive many orphaned, starving, and even injured pups when their moms are scared away by people or their pets.
We currently have six pups like Mermaid at the Rescue Center, and will receive many more throughout the busy summer season, but it's also a time when giving drops.
If you're not already a part of our Wavemakers club, please consider starting an automatic monthly donation today for as little as $5. Another generous supporter will even match your monthly gifts for an entire year!
Click here to have 2x the life-saving power for Mermaid and friends every month >>
Remember: You can help keep seal pups with their mothers by staying far away from pups resting on beaches! If you see a solo pup resting in the same spot for long periods of time, or one that is emaciated, coughing or injured, you should call the Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 1-866-767-6114.
