Ranch is one of 33 harbor seals admitted to the Rescue Center so far this year. Like most of these patients, Ranch was likely separated from her mom when she was scared off by people getting too close to her on the beach. |
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So young that she still had her umbilical cord when she first arrived at the Rescue Center in July, Ranch received a special, high-fat formula in place of her mother’s milk several times a day. Thanks to ocean heroes like you, Ranch grew strong after almost 11 weeks of specialized care before galumphing back to the sea on Bainbridge Island. About two weeks after her return to the wild, Ranch was spotted in Port Orchard, very close to where she was initially rescued in July!
Ranch’s wild comeback was only possible because of this SR3 community - thank you! |
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Battling the Blooms: SR3 Responds to Sea Lion Emergency |
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Pictured here is 1) Sydney, one of our Animal Husbandry Technicians, getting ready for a feed, and 2) our vet, Dr. Michelle Rivard, in the center of the Marine Mammal Care Center and Oiled Wildlife Care Network staff who have been working tirelessly to treat patients, like 3) the sea lions in the third photo.
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In June, hundreds of sea lions washed ashore in Southern California due to a toxic algae bloom. More common in warmer waters, this type of algae produces a toxin called domoic acid that affects the brain. Sea lions become infected by eating contaminated fish, and their symptoms can range from weakness and lethargy to aggression and seizures. Three members of SR3’s staff responded to this outbreak emergency by rotating down to help our colleagues at Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, CA. |
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Protecting Southern Resident Killer Whales |
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In an ongoing effort to protect the most vulnerable of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW), ocean heroes like you have helped SR3 keep a close eye on their health throughout the year. |
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Adult male Southern Resident killer whale J38 photographed during health monitoring research in the Salish Sea during 2023. Image was collected non-invasively flying a drone at >100ft above the whales, authorized by NMFS research permit #22306. |
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Shedding Light on Climate Impacts |
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Aerial images of the same “Sounder” gray whale (CRC ID #21, “Shackleton”) in each of the past four years. Differences in body condition are quantified by measuring breadths along the profile of the whale, with the leanest profile documented in 2021. Images were collected non-invasively using an octocopter drone flown at >150ft over the whales under NMFS research permits 19091 and 22306. |
| Locally, our four-year study of the “Sounders” gray whales has demonstrated the importance of Puget Sound as a feeding stopover, enabling the whales to fatten up and complete their migration further north. |
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From the Arctic to the Puget Sound, thank you for helping us shed light on climate impacts to ensure the protection of our ocean-dwelling neighbors into the future! |
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Ocean Clean-up Crusade
SR3 was proud to celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 23 by partnering to take action for sealife. Together with several other organizations and dozens of volunteers, we cleaned up the marina - both on the beach and underwater - around our Rescue Center in Des Moines! More than 500 pounds of dangerous garbage has been cleared from the watershed so far this year with the help of this heroic community. |
| | A Day in the Life: Interns From feeding and caring for dozens of patients at all hours of the day to helping with education events, SR3 interns share an incredible amount of energy and talent in support of marine life during their time at the Rescue Center. Thank you to the six interns who completed their rotations already this summer, and to our current interns who are still in the thick of things: Zach, Emma-Grace, Nicole, Annika, Irissa, and Jamie.
Click here to see a day in the life of these hard-working interns! >> |
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Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Kim! |
When you’re an animal husbandry volunteer like Kim, herding seals is just a normal part of your day. Kim has dedicated many hours of her time to ensure sealife get a second chance in the wild, and she’s also a member of our Wavemakers club! |
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Kim shares, "I support SR3 because I want to help marine animals whose lives are being impacted by human actions. Knowing that my monthly donation helps to expand the daily work and research completed by SR3 is very inspiring to me."
With 179 members and counting, the Wavemakers are a critical part of ensuring that marine animals can get the care and protections they need. |
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