“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.

Cheer for “Chippy” the Wayward Sea Lion
and Help Him Back to His Ocean Home

(SAUSALITO, Calif. – February 12, 2004): The Marine Mammal Center (www.marinemammalcenter.org) and the California Highway Patrol are raising funds to help offset the medical costs related in caring for a wayward sea lion found some 65 miles away from the ocean. “Chippy”, named by the CHP officer who found him, was found near The Central Valley city of Los Banos on Feb. 9th. The 315 pound adult California sea lion made his amazing journey down the San Joaquin River channel, eventually resting on top of a CHP squad car. Rescuers from The Center’s Monterey Bay operations herded Chippy into a cage and transported him by truck to the main Sausalito hospital 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. It is not known exactly how long this bullet has been inside the animal’s head, or if it will adversely affect the animal’s health.

“Nearly 8 percent of California sea lions admitted to The Center suffer from gun shot wounds, most to their heads,” said Cynthia Schramm, communications and marketing director for The Marine Mammal Center. “Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, it is illegal to injure or harass marine animals and there are heavy fines for this type of crime. Now our main goal is to take care of Chippy and help him get back to his ocean home,” said Schramm.

Help Chippy recover

The Center, along with the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, is fundraising to help pay for the food, medical attention and care Chippy and other patients like him need. Donations can be made either online via The Center’s website at www.marinemammalcenter.org or by mail to the CAHP Sea Lion Fund c/o The CAHP, P.O. Box 161209, Sacramento, CA 95816.

The Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit hospital dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wild marine mammals that are ill, injured or orphaned, along 600 miles of northern and central California coastline. Since 1975, The Center has worked with over 10,000 California sea lions, elephant seals, sea otters and other marine life. It uniquely combines its rehabilitation program with scientific discovery and education programs throughout the Bay Area and the world, to advance the understanding of marine mammal health, ocean health and to promote conservation.