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April 3, 2003--- Charges Filed Against Perpetrators Who Shot California Sea Lion with Crossbow
On April 3, 2003 the US Department of Justice filed charges against several men responsible for shooting a sea lion pup, later named “Arrow” by her rescuers. Arrow was discovered on a Morro Bay dock entangled in fishing line and hooks, and with a crossbow arrow lodged between her shoulders on November 6th, 2002 in San Luis Obispo County. She was rescued by The Marine Mammal Center, and transported to its hospital in Sausalito, California. Arrow was five-months-old at the time of rescue, and spent several months recuperating at The Center and was released back into the wild at Point Reyes on February 7, 2003.
March 25, 2003--- Marine Mammal Center Works to Limit Amount
of Illegal Harbor Seal “Rescues"
The Marine Mammal Center is appealing to the public to curtail the amount of illegal harbor seal “rescues.” Since late February, The Center has rescued eleven harbor seals; the public illegally handled half of them. “We understand that people mean well when they pick up a harbor seal,” said Kathy Zagzebski, Stranding Manager of The Marine Mammal Center. “But they may not understand that by picking up the harbor seal, they may be causing it to be separated from its mother. Harbor seals leave their pups on the beach while they forage for food, and will return to the pup, if she is not frightened away by the public or by dogs.” The pups are much better off with their mothers, because once separated, The Marine Mammal Center must care for them, when they should be nursing from their mothers. After several weeks of harbor seal formula, the pups then undergo “fish school” where volunteers of The Center teach them to forage for fish before returning them to the ocean.
January 23, 2003--- The Marine Mammal Center Announces Annual "Run For The Seals" Race
The Marine Mammal Center is proud to present the 21st annual Run For The Seals race, Saturday, March 8, 2003 at Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands, Sausalito. The four-mile race begins at 9am and is open to runners, walkers, families and even dogs. Proceeds benefit The Marine Mammal Center. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers in various age categories and all registrants will receive a commemorative Run For The Seals t-shirt. The public is invited to cheer on the runners and meet the San Francisco Giant's marine mascot, Lou Seal. There will be kayaking demonstrations courtesy of Sea Trek, and participants can learn more about the Marin Humane Society's micro-chip pet identity program. Docents from The Center will also be on-hand to provide fascinating facts about patients on-site and to answer questions.
September 10th, 2002--- The Center Launches Public Education Campaign in Monterey Bay
The week of September 9th The Marine Mammal Center is launching a media campaign designed to educate California residents and visitors about the role of marine mammals as "sentinels" of ocean health. "Sentinel" means to guard a group against surprise. The Marine Mammal Center has learned that through their health and behavior, marine mammals tell us a lot about our oceans, warning of potential threats to both ocean residents and humans that include contamination, climate shifts and toxins in our seafood.
This year's public education campaign is targeting the Monterey Bay area, following up on two years of education in the San Francisco Bay Area. "We are proud to extend our public education message to the Monterey Bay Area as more than 45% of our marine mammal rescues came from that region," said B. J. Griffin, Executive Director of The Marine Mammal Center. "Monterey Bay is an extremely important area for marine mammal life. We want residents to be aware of the role that marine mammals play as indicators of the health of the ocean and to know that The Center has rescue and rehabilitation facilities in Monterey Bay. Residents should call 831.633.6298 if they find a sick or stranded marine mammal."
(For past press releases, refer to our Communication Archive)
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Press
Releases 2003