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How Chippy is Being Tracked
Veterinarians from The Marine Mammal Center attached a satellite tag to Chippy before his release so that his progress could be monitored in the wild. This tag is glued to his haircoat and will eventually fall off, but we hope to get 3 to 6 months of data from him before that happens.
The data we receive is on a 24-hour delay. In other words, updates for 3/5/04 reflect where Chippy was on 3/4/04. Each morning, The Center receives a message that contains times and locations from the morning before (6am-1pm) and evening before (6pm-1am).
Because we want to post only the most accurate of data, we may not be able to track Chippy daily. For example, the tag does not transmit when it is underwater, and it only transmits at certain times of day, so Chippy's behavior, time of day, and satellite position can all affect the quality of data that we receive.
All of the locations he has been tracked to so far are well within the realm of normal sea lion movements.
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/25/04 (3:23pm)
Shortly after the earlier update was posted, we received reports of Chippy at PIER 39. A short time later, we received a report of what appeared to be Chippy's satellite tag sitting on a nearby float. We have confirmed that this tag was Chippy's and that it has fallen off, so our tracking of Chippy has ended. Bon voyage, Chippy!
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/25/04
Chippy's on the move! As of last night, he was back in the San Francisco Bay, just south of the Richmond Bridge near Castro Rocks. A favorite haul-out for California sea lions in that area is PIER 39, although we have not received any reports of his being there at the time of this update.
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/24/04
Chippy remains in the same general area of the San Joaquin River. We have received reports of other sea lions in this vicinity, so clearly this is an area that at this time of the year, provides food, protection and a comfortable environment for a sea lion. Because we have been receiving signals from his transmitter that indicate some movement, we believe that the transmitter is still attached to him and working.
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/16/04
Chippy appears to be staying in the delta near the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers. Slight location changes have been noted, but the data received puts him in the same general area.
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/12/04
As of yesterday, 3/11/04, Chippy remains in the delta, near the junction of the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers.
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/9/04
While reliable transmissions from the tag have not been as frequent as anticipated, we did receive data that indicate that Chippy has been in San Pablo Bay and as of 3/8/04, in the delta. Sea lions are present in the delta right now, as are fish such as striped bass, American shad, shiner perch and starry flounder.
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/7/04
No reliable data was received from Chippy's tag for yesterday, 3/6/04. This most likely means that Chippy is spending more time in the water and less time hauled out (the antenna from his tag has to be in the air for a certain amount of time to transmit reliably). Be sure to check back tomorrow to see if we have received any new clear signals from Chippy's tag.
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/6/04
Chippy spent yesterday (3/5/04) at the following locations:
6:00 a.m. and noon – near PIER 39
6:00 p.m. – north of the Richmond Bridge near Point San Pablo
From the Chippy Satellite Tracking Tag 3/5/04
Chippy spent yesterday (3/4/04) morning in the San Francisco Bay:
6:26 a.m. -- Fisherman's Wharf
10:51 a..m. -- off the Marina Yacht harbor
11:31 a.m. -- off North Beach-just north of the Bay Bridge
10:00 p.m. – PIER 39
Click here for live view from Pier 39 and see if you can see Chippy!
Chippy update 3/03/04
With much fanfare, Chippy was released back to his ocean home today. Veterinarians from The Marine Mammal Center attached a monitoring device to Chippy's hair coat that will help scientists follow his rehabilitation and ensure that he successfully readapts to his ocean home. This small device won't affect Chippy's health at all. It will allow The Center to monitor his movement, and will also provide much needed information that we can use in the treatment of future sea lion patients. Check back for periodic updates on Chippy's movements!
The NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement is continuing to actively
investigate this case. If you have any information on who may have shot
Chippy please call: 1-(800) 853-1964
“Chippy” the Wayward Sea Lion Gets a “Chip”
Before Returning to His Ocean Home
The Marine Mammal Center will track Chippy’s travels to monitor his progress in the wild.
(SAUSALITO, Calif. – March 3, 2004): The Marine Mammal Center (http://www.marinemammalcenter.org) will release “Chippy,” an adult California sea lion, into the ocean near Point Reyes National Seashore, Wednesday, March 3rd . Point Reyes is one of the few spots that The Center releases patients because it is protected on National Park Service property, and it provides a natural habitat and food source for sea lions.
Veterinarians from The Center have also attached a monitoring device that will help scientists follow Chippy’s rehabilitation and ensure that he successfully readapts to his ocean home.
“We attached a satellite tag to Chippy’s haircoat so that we can better monitor his progress in the wild,” said Dr. Martin Haulena, veterinarian at The Marine Mammal Center. “This small device won’t affect Chippy’s health at all. It will allow us to monitor his movement, and will also provide us with much needed information that we can use in the treatment of future sea lion patients. “
Chippy was found by CHP officers near Los Banos on February 9th. The 315-pound adult California sea lion made news headlines and television broadcasts around the world after his amazing journey down the San Joaquin River channel, some 65-miles away from the ocean. Chippy, as he was named by officers, was rescued by staff and volunteers from The Marine Mammal Center’s Monterey Bay operations, then transported to The Center’s main Sausalito hospital facility for medical attention. Upon examination and x-rays, veterinarians at The Center’s hospital discovered a bullet lodged in soft tissue just behind Chippy’s skull. The bullet was removed by veterinarians and Chippy recovered nicely at The Center. The bullet was turned over to the National Marine Fisheries Service where an investigation into who may have shot the pinniped is ongoing. Shooting of a marine mammal is a crime under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and carries with it fines as hefty as $20,000.
“We are so happy that the story of Chippy’s adventures is ending happily,” said Cynthia Schramm, membership and communications director for The Marine Mammal Center. “We’re also amazed and thrilled at the public’s positive response to cheering Chippy to recovery.” In all, The Center and the California Association of Highway Patrolmen raised nearly $28,000 that will go towards the costs associated with taking care of Chippy as well as other patients like him.
Chippy update 2/19/04
Chippy is doing well. He's on an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug as a result of an infection from his bullet wound -- veterinarians cleaned his wound on Monday and were able to recover the bullet, which has been handed over to investigators at NOAA Office of Law Enforcement. Chippy will stay at The Center while his antibiotic treatment continues and as we watch to ensure that there is no neurological damage as a result of his being shot. He is eating well and acting very sea-lionish!
How you can help Chippy!
Chippy, the California sea lion found on a county road in Los Banos on Monday, Feb. 9, has arrived at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. While in general good shape, our veterinarians have assessed that Chippy is suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.
While shocking to many, it is not uncommon. Nearly 8% of California sea lions admitted to The Center suffer from gunshot wounds, most to their heads.
Shooting a sea lion is against the law, and it’s inhumane.
Help Chippy recover
You can help Chippy and other patients like him get the treatment he needs. Donate today and help fund any surgery, food and medicine required to give Chippy the second-chance that he deserves. Your generous donation will also help fund the care for the many other patients we see who are suffering from human interaction wounds.
How to donate
To donate online click here, or send checks made payable to:
The Marine Mammal Center
1065 Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA 94965
Thank you for caring, and for helping Chippy return to his ocean home!
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