Strandings reach record pace

Larger than normal numbers of sea lions and seals are turning up on Orange County beaches, causing the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach to take in record-breaking numbers of animals in need of medical attention. There is no known reason for the additional strandings.

So far this year, the center has treated more than 172 animals, which is 15 less than the entire number treated in 2008.

The center is packed to the gills with mammals in need of attention that are filling every available space, including makeshift pens in labs and along hallways.

As of this time last year, the center had 70 animals in its care; now there are 107 animals at the center, said Kirsten Seblick, animal care supervisor and education coordinator at the center.

So far the cause of the strandings is unknown and only comparable with numbers in 2002 when a diatom bloom affected the mammals and caused a rash of strandings, but the number of animals in need of treatment is on pace to pass that.

The majority of those stranded this year are sea lion pups. Out of the animals rescued, 115 have been sea lions. That number is 131% higher than it was last year.

“Since we are the only licensed marine mammal rescue in the entire Orange County area, the task of responding to each animal in need and financially supporting their recovery rests entirely on our shoulders,” said Melissa Sciacca, director of development and marketing for the center.

Even though the center hasn’t heard word from the National Marine Fisheries Services about what is causing the influx, the priority remains the same.

“Our No. 1 concern is animals in-house, and we have to take care of their problems individually,” Seblick said.

Getting those animals in-house includes working with the public and other agencies who know to call the center when they come across a beached marine mammal.

“We’ve been getting anything between five to 10 rescue calls a day,” Seblick said.

With the lack of space, the center has to be careful about the animals it takes in even if the mammal may need medical attention.

“We have to put the animals on a 24-hour watch, and we have to see what they’re doing,” Seblick said. “After that then we’re going to check and see how they are.”

Through this process Seblick and other center employees determine which animals are in the most dire need, and which do not need attention.

She’s especially thankful to animal control, lifeguards and the general public in this regard, because, she says, they have been very detailed in describing the condition of each beached mammal, in some cases even providing pictures.

Seblick said anyone coming across a mammal who wants to call the center should try to see the sides of the seals and sea lions and assess if they’re underweight, note any behaviors but most importantly, be careful.

Until the center hears word about what exactly is going on, all they can do is act on a case-by-case basis.

“Right now we are just trying to do everything we can to care for as many marine mammals as possible and do our best to stabilize them” said Michele Hunter, director of animal care.

The center is at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. Call (949) 494-3050.