The strange, baa-baa sound escaped the plastic confines of the 3 foot-long animal traveling crate sitting innocently on the starboard corner of the aft deck. The plaintive sound was reminiscent of a goat or perhaps a sheep and passengers glanced at each other confusedly as they were on a boat after all; not in a farmyard. The volunteer from the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) beckoned over one of the nearest passengers and had them peek inside the cage through the thin bars at the front and sides. There, peering out with large dewy eyes was a tiny fur seal looking for all the world like a puppy demanding to be let out to play. One glance was all it took-hearts melted and before they realized it passengers were peppering the smiling volunteers with questions mostly beginning with “what,” “where,” and “how.” Answers were returned along with stickers that featured the portrait of this very young and seldom seen breed of seal. A few minutes later, a second crate was loaded containing a California Sealion pup every bit as adorable as its cousin.
During the spring, our boats at Island Packers are often tasked with providing the CIMWI team the means to release young seals and sealions such as California Sealions, Harbor Seals, Elephant Seals, Stellar’s Sealions, and Fur Seals (all collectively known as pinnipeds-meaning feathered feet due to their fins). The pinnipeds need various degrees of medical and/or physical support and rehabilitation for reasons such as illness, abandonment, poisoning, entanglement in trash or fishing gear, as well as malnutrition/dehydration. The animals find their way to CIMWI following calls from concerned members of the public who often find the critters in distress on local beaches or harbors. Veterinarians and trained volunteers nurse the animals back to health and help prepare them to fend for themselves back in the wild. The last step is to transport the animals to a spot where they are likely to be successful integrating back into their natural environment. The Channel Islands National Park fits that bill nicely as it provides a plethora of pristine locations already populated by similar animals protected both by the structure of the national park and various MPA’s (marine protected areas) as well as their isolation from the millions of nearby humans who have taken over the mainland beaches and waterways-the natural range of seals and sealions. And so this latest pair of pinnipeds found themselves riding a noisy boat occasionally doused with tangy seawater from breaking waves. They were justly excited.
As we neared Santa Rosa Island Luke, the captain, had a decision to make: disembark the passengers first before releasing our star guests, or stop first to allow everyone to view the return of the pups to the wild. after putting it to a vote (who said a boat is not a democracy?) the answer was unanimously in favor of releasing first. Adjusting course slightly, Luke pointed the bow into a small, sheltered cove at Carrington Point. A few minutes later, the stern quarter was roped off, PFD’s (personal floatation devices) donned by crew and volunteers, and the side gates were opened. The first crate was turned to face the water, and the door opened. Nothing happened. The small fur seal seemed suddenly nervous and edged to the back of the crate. Expecting this, the volunteers tilted the cage up so that the open end faced the water and gave it a little shake. The fur seal pup slid down and then dove into the clear, cold water. Instantly, the tiny animal was transformed into a graceful swimmer completely at home in his aquatic environment. Looping in excited somersaults, splashing, and bobbing his head repeatedly under the water, the seal seemed to be washing off the weirdness of his recent sojourn among the two leg-eds on the mainland. After staring up at us for a long moment, the seal turned and in a flash was gone. Popping up about twenty yards away, we last saw him speeding towards a large kelp bed where more pinnipeds were watching us warily. Everyone cheered and I silently wished him well. Seconds later, the California sealion also dropped in and returned home to the delight of the small crowd of watchers. Another successful return!
Seals and sealions have not always enjoyed the support of humans. In the mid-20th Century, local California sealions found themselves on the brink of extinction because of human harvesting for their meat, pelts, oil, and even whiskers (used as pipe cleaners). They were also collected to train as performers at zoos, traveling circus acts, and water parks to entertain crowds of paying customers. Only the Marine Mammal Protection Act of the 1970’s saved them, and the local population steadily grew. Today, it is thought California sealions numbers have exceeded 160,000; their pre-hunting numbers and may have even broke 200,000. Still, even though the species as a whole is thriving, not all individual animals do quite so well on their own which is where the Marine Mammal & Wildlife Institute and the kind attention of the public comes into play. Sometimes animals are like us and need a little help. Expert medical help along with monitored and planned interactions are often enough to help return an animal to health without making it dependent on human intervention. Last year, CIMWI helped dozens of animals.
As I watched the tiny critters make their way back into their natural environment, I couldn’t help but wonder what they thought about their time with their human helpers. One thing was certain though-they were excited to be back where they needed to be.
If you see a seal or sealion on the beach, give it space as it is likely just taking a break and warming up. If it seems sick, or is tangled in trash or covered in oil, call the professionals such as CIMWI, as they are much more likely to be successful than you or I. If you would like to learn more about stranded or injured marine mammals (as well as how to help/report) or perhaps donate to the CIMWI here’s a link:
