Starving, dying sea lion pups wash up in O.C.
March 11th, 2010, 1:59 pm · 33 Comments · posted by Pat Brennan, science, environment editor
Dozens of sick and starving sea lion pups are washing up on Southern California shores and filling rescue centers — among them the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, which has treated 27 thin and starving animals since December.
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- Courtesy Joann Smith, Pacific Marine Mammal Center
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- Courtesy Joann Smith, Pacific Marine Mammal Center
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- Courtesy Joann Smith, Pacific Marine Mammal Center
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- Courtesy Joann Smith, Pacific Marine Mammal Center
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- Courtesy Joann Smith, Pacific Marine Mammal Center
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- Courtesy Joann Smith, Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Most are severely underweight and in the advance stages of starvation, and only 11 have survived. Rescuers say El Niño-influenced ocean-water warming is driving away their prey, mainly squid and fish — the same reason given by experts for a rash of dead and dying pelicans that thronged bird rescue centers in recent months.
“We saw a large number of starvations at the end of last year,” said Richard Evans, a veterinarian who was treating sick sea lions at the Laguna Beach center Thursday. “Pups from that group are now out on their own, and they can’t find anything to eat.”
Twelve pups were being treated Thursday, nine of them in critical condition.
Almost all the pups weak enough to be captured and brought to the center have been starving so long that their bodies have begun to consume muscle and heart tissue, making survival unlikely, he said.
“They’re just skin and bones,” Evans said. “It’s just a lot of work.”
Hundreds of sick and starving pelicans were reported along the West Coast from Oregon to Southern California, also beginning in December, although the numbers began to tail off last month.
Evans said the last time his center saw a major influx of starving sea lion pups was in 1998, also during a strong El Niño period.
“This is a little worse,” he said, than in 1998.
El Niño is a periodic warming of the eastern Pacific that can intensify storms.
The center, at 20612 Laguna Canyon Rd., is open the public daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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This is most likely because there isn’t enough baitfish in the local waters. The Humboldt Squid and other large predators have arrived by the thousands upon thousands and are decimating the baitfish population over the past few months.
Okay, sea lion pups are dying because of changes in climate. I don’t understand why we’re saving them, though… I figured it was all part of life and how the universe works. You know, things change. Things die.
I agree. It is the circle of life. It is a sad story because they are baby sea lions, but this is the natural order of things.
How many other types of animals are dying that would have been able to survive (the periodic and natural El Nino event) on the carcasses of the sea lions but can’t because we are pulling these sea lions out of the food chain?
Careful, Duh! Those who would prefer to intefere with the course of nature to selfishly save creatures they consider cute at the cost of the lives of other creatures might accuse you of having no heart, too. As long as this organization is funded by donations, they can save whatever animal they want.
This story just breaks my heart!!!
Poor little babies!
hunterr83, you have absolutely no heart!
Agreed
Poor pups!!!!
These little boogers have quite a healthy population along the SoCal coastline. Just ask any sports fisherman and they will tell you how many of those little fish thieves are out there. Send them all to a Tokyo fish market!
let them die they mess up the fishing!
Oh, my gosh, their sweet little faces look like babies!
Yes, “hunter” this is nature…but it’s still heart wrenching…that is if you HAVE a heart. sheesh.
Hunter83 is cold-hearted
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center does great work. Please donate or volunteer if you can. They also have a day camp for kids in the summer.
Where is the data on local ocean temps this winter? The ocean does not seem very warm to me. And we just had that giant squid invasion.
Oh geez, I just want to scoop them up and feed them until they can’t eat anymore.
Bless their little hearts.
I wish I could take them all and feed them. Poor little guys!!!
My son did his Eagle Scout project there. We also adopted (sponsored) a sea lion. The night before her scheduled release she died. It was like losing a family member.
Must be Bush’s fault
Someone send over a case of sardines
for these hungry puppies.
We kill the ocean.
One way or the other.
If not by warming it then by pollution.
If it helps people to self-reproach by condoning the “rescue” of a few Pelicans and Sea-Lion pups….have at it.
Same is true for those who claim that populations of certain species have expanded in the recent past and are therefor healthy.
Same for those that claim that the El Niño phenomenon is to blame for all of the SoCal exodus.
The last two “excuses” only work if you have not a clue about ecology.
The same people will probably call me an ocean-hugger too.
Which just boils down to the fact that the human mind is an astonishingly destructive creation.
Can I adopt one as a pet?
dead pups = much needed fish & bird food.
Just ask the starving pelicans!
Much the same way dead cows = my lunch.mmmm hamburger….
I like mine w/ french fried potatas, big kosher pickle & red ripe tomatas,
ketchup mustard & an ice cold brew …….
@trinic you said it best… these people posting here are a bunch of idiots. We need to do whatever we can to stop this over consumption of our natural resources. Save energy, stop using so much plastic, plant a tree, spread the word. The world is truly changing for the worst and it’s all our fault.
They were washing up on shore!!! Nobody is going to want to see that. Or stand around watching them cry loudly as they die in front of them. And do you really want to go to the shore and look at a bunch of dead baby seal carcasses being pecked at by seagulls? You can not please all the people all of the time…If caring for them in a humane manor before they meet their fate is what a bunch of volunteers wish to do than so be it. it is not harming anybody. Plus this gives a great opportunity for research.
Every story has a different spin…
Damn sea dogs. This is great news.
Way too many of these things around anyway.
Embarrased to be American says:
@trinic you said it best… these people posting here are a bunch of idiots. We need to do whatever we can to stop this over consumption of our natural resources
I know, we can stop feeding you and @trinic. That should stop some over consumption you fat democrats.
Did you even read the story you bone head?
These animals are dying, and it would be inhumane to stand by and do nothing. Good for this non-profit for stepping in and doing what they can to try and give these animals a chance. And fisherman-get off your high horse- these animals, unlike you, don’t have any other food source EXCEPT fish to eat, so stop punishing them for trying to simply eat their natural diet. It’s you who should be punished for stealing THEIR food!
This is no one’s fault. Its a fact of nature that the ocean changes in a cyclic pattern. For those of you tuna fishermen wait til summer and you will have a bumper year, just like 1998.
For the idiots out there that think its good the sea lions and seals are starving, well, you are idiots. Plain and simple. The PMMC is not saving lives to ruin your fishing or deprive seagulls of carcasses to eat. They are saving a federally protected group of animals, just like a veterinarian saves the lives of your pets or livestock. The number of saved seals and sea lions is so small compared to those that are lost it doesn’t even compare. It DOES make a difference only to the individual animal that is saved.
Every single person should watch: The Cove, End of the Line, Food, Inc. Im not saying this because I’m a green, organic, vegan, save the whales, Greenpeace, tree hugger, but because it is eye opening and may make more people THINK.
@hunterr83 and @Duh!, next time either of you get sick you should stay at home and NOT seek any type of medical treatment of any kind because we wouldn’t want to interfere with the natural cycle of life. Our planet would truly benefit from weeding out the ignorant and weak such as yourselves!
As I read the story and saw the pictures my heart was breaking for these poor animals. When I read some of the comments I was shocked at how some people could be so heartless.
Marine Mammals, including sea lions are the sentinels of the health of our oceans. They often time suffer from illnesses that are related to the direct well being of our ocean, that once was clean and free of chemicals and trash. An ocean that wasn’t being over fished. It is their home and they unlike people can’t go somewhere else to eat. They warn the human race that there is a problem. The word human is a derivative of the word humane. I am so disappointed and saddened by many of the responses but proud of these that have stood up for the organization and these magnificent creatures. Go to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and see for yourself and maybe you would gain some insight and compassion.
Some people may not understand what it feels like to be starving to death. How would you like to experience your body being so cold your temperature and glucose levels wouldn’t even register, you go in to seizures and are gasping for your last breath. This is what happens to an animal during their last hours of starvation. This is a sad situation and I applaud that center for their dedicated staff and volunteers trying to help these incredibel animals have a second chance at life.
Keep up the good work and ignore these thoughtless people
I think it is easy to hide behind a computer screen and pass judgement on others be they animals or humans. The bottom line is that we are all sentient beings. We share this planet. I believe that we can all make a difference. The choice is how you will make your difference? will it be for the greater good or not. I choose to make a difference in my world. I volunteer. I donate my time and money to causes I believe in. I am so proud and honored to be a volunteer at PMMC. I choose to be part of the change. I encourage you to make a difference in the world. Volunteer for the causes that stir your heart.
My daughter is working on her Girl Scout Silver Award for the PMMC. She’s making those blankets you see in some of the pictures. Although she is only 13, she has a strong interest in marine biology and chose this center based on their humane approach to marine mammals. I think Steve W said it best. Rescuing and rehabilitating seals & sea lions DOES make a difference. The PMMC is a great organization – not only for the rescue efforts, but also for the education it freely gives out. For those who feel differently, why don’t you visit the PMMC and check it out for yourselves.
Well said Jo. Thank goodness for girls like your daughter Socalgal.