Whale Rescue Team’s 2003 Report

By Peter Wallerstein

At the start of 2003, we were hoping that the number of calls for Whale Rescue Team’s (WRT) to respond wouldn’t come close to what we had in 2002. But, to our surprise the rescues increased. WRT rescued 177 seals and sea lions, 5 dolphins and dozens of birds. This year we encountered many sea lion pups, born to mothers who were inflicted with Domoic poisoning the year before. Throughout Southern California hundreds of pups washed ashore abandoned, skinny, dehydrated. El Nino seasons do increase the abandoned pup population. But, we had such a mild El Nino this year, I believe that the Domoic poisoning that occurred in 2002, was the major cause of the increased stranding incidents in 2003. Know one knows if the pregnant sea lions fully recover once inflicted with Domoic. I seriously doubt it. The pups were found all over the place. We found one pup resting on a lounge chair in someone’s front yard in Playa del rey. We responded to call at 2 AM one morning and found a sea lion pup laying in front Tanner’s Coffee shop. The pup had to cross a main highway to get to Tanner’s, more than a quarter mile from the ocean.

Sea Lion pup rescued by Whale Rescue Team – Spring 2003.

In 2002 most of our rescues were of large, pregnant sea lions. This year most of the rescue was of smaller animals, yearlings or pups. All of our rescues are very important to us. One memorable rescue happened this spring. This rescue is a good example of just how the WRT works and how teamwork, training and dedication to each individual animal can be a lifesaver for many animals, no matter what the situation is. On Sunday, May 26, the WRT received a call from County Lifeguard personnel about a sea lion suffering from Domoic acid poisoning on the rocks, just in front of the Lifeguard’s, Venice Headquarters. When the call in we were just finishing our second rescue of the day. We were about 30 minutes from the scene when the Lifeguard’s called again, informing WRT that the situation turned critical. Upon arrival, I was shocked to see this already distressed animal, weakened by Domoic acid poisoning, wedged into the bottom of the jetty, trapped and struggling to raise her nose, up to her forehead out of the water in an attempt to gasp for air.

The tide was high and the surf was pounding the jetty making a difficult rescue even more difficult and more crucial. My initial, gut feeling was that this animal was doomed and we were watching her last minutes of life. I will never forget that desperate, hopeless look on the sea lions face gasping for a short breath of air before the water covered her again and again.

There was no time to waste if we wanted to give this animal a second chance at life. So we immediately went into action. Los Angeles County Lifeguard, Chris Staffield had kept a close eye on the animal so the rescue attempt would not be delayed. This wasn’t an easy task, for 90% of the time the sea lion was completely submerged. Captain Tom Seth attached a Lifeguard floatation devise around my waste which was tethered to him by a rope line. Tom and I entered the surf. Tom kept tension on the line which kept me from washing into the rocks too violently. Brent Katzer provided critical support from the rocks above. We had a very difficult time evaluating just what was obstructing the 150-pound sea lions movement. If it was the rocks, there was nothing we could have done. Time was running out. I reached below the surface to see if I could feel what was obstructing her release. I took this action having complete confidence that Tom and Brent were watching out for my safety. My face was inches away from the sea lions face, knowing very well she could turn and bite me out of fear. I held my breath and hoped for the best. Then, with my hand I felt the obstruction. I felt a rope line putting great pressure across the animal’s chest. That must be what was keeping her stuck in her potential tomb. Brent secured a knife from an LAPD Officer who was also at the scene and passed the knife to me. Waiting for the right moment, I reached down and cut the rope line. It worked. This animal that I thought had know chance at all for survival was free! Captain Tom Seth, Lifeguard Specialist Brent Katzer and Lifeguard Chris Staffield, should all be commended for their actions. Without them this story would not have had a such an ending.

WRT’s Headquarters and 4WD Rescue Vehicle.

For many years, WRT was run out of a home in Topanga Canyon. As our authorized territory expanded, along with the increase in stranding incidents, response from Topanga Canyon became unpractical. We looked around for an office in the Westside somewhere, but the cost made it impossible. The County of Los Angeles operates an RV Park on the beach in Playa del Rey. So WRT approached the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, asking them to consider waiving the restrictions on the time allowed by an RV, in the County controlled RV Park. Generally, RV’s aren’t allowed to stay more than 21 days in a row and no more than 60 days per year at the Park. That wouldn’t work for WRT. The Board of Supervisors unanimously granted WRT’s request and with support from the Mary Jo and Hank Greenberg Foundation, the WRT purchased a used, 32 foot, 5th wheel trailer and parked it at Dockwieler State Beach. The trailer now serves as WRT headquarters. We pride ourselves on prompt response time. Having the trailer on the beach in such a strategic location ensures prompt response to any of our authorized locations, no matter what time of day.

Elephant seal pup rescued by Whale Rescue Team – Spring 2003.

WRT has conducted more elephant seal rescues this year, than we have in the past decade! The pups are very vocal and for most of them it’s not necessary for WRT volunteers to hoop net the seals. We normally would roll them in a cargo net and put them in the cage for transportation.

Elephant seal pup rescued by Whale Rescue Team – Spring 2003.

WRT received authorization for 3 additional beach cities this year. We signed contracts with the cities of El Segundo and Manhattan Beach. Only one city remains in our target area for acquiring authorization. We are currently working to sign on the City of Hermosa Beach before next spring, when the busy season for marine mammal rescues occurs.

This sea lion pup died of starvation waiting for the 48-hour watch to expire. Federal authorities have threatened prosecution of rescuers if they assist the abandoned pups.

This year the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors directed the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbor Department to see if there was property in the County suitable for WRT to construct and operate an after hours care center for marine mammals. WRT proposes to develop an auxiliary marine mammal center at an as-yet undetermined location in the West Los Angeles region. The proposal for such a facility already enjoys strong support from a vast majority of the public as well as from many private and government agencies. The primary purpose of the new center will be to provide long-term care for injured or sick dolphins. To date, there are no facilities in Los Angeles County for rehabilitating dolphins --- not even a kiddy pool. The proposed center will offer state-of-the-art medical treatment and two specially designed dolphin rehabilitation pools. No animal will ever be turned away. The center shall also serve as an auxiliary after-hours facility, providing emergency supportive care for seals and sea lions. It will also be available should a crisis occur, such as a domoic acid outbreak, or a major oil spill. Fort McArthur Marine Care facility ceases operation during evening hours and maintains no staff on-location, leaving rescuers without a facility to bring sick or injured animals that may be in need of immediate supportive care. During the Spring of 2002, Los Angeles County residents were made aware of the fact that hundreds of sea lions were washing up on beaches suffering from the effects of Domoic acid poisoning. Fort McArthur was consistently filled to capacity. This triggered an immediate response from the federal government: all affected animals were to remain on the beach for a 48-hour period, or the animals must be comatose prior to emergency intervention. After a 30 day study, the County informed WRT that they did find 2 suitable sites for our planned facility, but due to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) informing County officials that NMFS” would never approve this facility”, the County said, at this time, they could not lease WRT any property. But, the County left the door open! The Director of Fort McArthur Marine Mammal Care Center and officials from Sea World both wrote letters in opposition to the expansion of marine mammal care in our community. County officials did confide in WRT their dismay about the attitude of those few that are in opposition of such an important addition to our community. It’s too bad that commercial interest’s or people’s ego get in the way of providing much needed critical care for injured or orphaned marine mammals in our community. We are excited and extremely motivated about the potential sites noted in the study. We fully understand that change does not happen overnight. It took many years for the WRT to receive authorization to provide our now highly regarded rescue services; the same services that NMFS felt our local governments or the animals did not need.

Severely distressed sea lion rescued by Whale Rescue Team – Spring 2003.

In the spring of 2004, it will be 20 years that WRT volunteers began coming to the aid of distressed marine wildlife. WRT volunteers will continue to provide prompt, professional and compassionate care for sick or injured marine wildlife for many years to come. If the WRT no longer existed, the system would resort back to the flawed, inadequate system of marine wildlife as it was for decades before we started working for change, leaving the distress calls of many injured or orphaned marine mammals or sea birds to go unanswered prolonging their suffering. WRT volunteers won’t let that happen. WRT’s efforts will also continue to expand the resources available for marine mammal care in our community, so that every affected animal in need receives the best possible chance to survive.