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Juvenile seals and sea lions have no trouble making themselves heard. But deciphering the traumatic events that landed them at the Marine Mammal Center Hospital in Sausalito takes some detective work.
„So each springtime we see a lot of young seals and sea lions needing the Marine Mammal Center’s help,“ said conservation engagement director Adam Ratner. „So they’re being separated from mom prematurely. Layered on top of that is that there are lots of animals out on the beach and a lot of people out on the beaches as well.“
He added that they are often alone and vulnerable when they’re rescued.
They are also victims of human interaction that’s both unintentional and preventable.
„People see this little pup on the beach all by itself,“ Ratner said. „They think it’s sick and abandoned and they go up to try and help it. Unfortunately, by getting too close to these animals, we can either be the ones to separate them from their moms or we can cause more stress.
