Whale Rescue Team’s 2004 Report

By Peter Wallerstein

In 2003, Whale Rescue Team volunteers rescued 182 marine mammals and dozens of sea birds. The vast majority of our rescues are conducted in the spring. So, at the start of 2004, we began to prepare as best we could for the challenges ahead of us. January and February were relatively quite months for rescues, but then, with one pone call, things changed dramatically.

Rescued gill net victim.

It all started in early March when Whale Rescue Team received a report from the Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol about an injured sea lion that had taken up residence on the Harbor Patrol and Baywatch boat dock. I arrived at the scene to find a 60 lb. sea lion with deep wounds caused by the net still imbedded around the entire circumference of her neck. Infection had already set in and the net was strangling her. The sight of her injury was very difficult for all of us. We knew that with this particular sea lion's injury, her chances for survival without our intervention were non-existent.

Our rescue attempts began with a slow approach as she rested on the narrow dock. Unlike beach rescues, docks rescues are far more difficult, for it’s practically impossible to cut off every avenue of escape. After our third or fourth attempt at rescue, the sea lion pretty much knew all of our tricks. Over and over again, day after day, she eluded capture. As the days wore on, it was obvious her condition was worsening. Green puss oozed from her eyes and in all likelihood she was septic.

More than once we came within inches of getting her. It was very frustrating. We only wanted the best for this animal, but in her mind we were her predators wanting to do her harm.

WRT hoop nets a sea lion suffering from Domoic acid poisoning. A County Lifeguard stands by to assist securing the sea lion.

Then one Saturday morning, while making my routine stop to the dock in Redondo, I found her resting on the dock, alone. My adrenalin was pumping, as I quietly crawled behind a small container, not more than ten feet from her. When the time was right, I made my move. To my amazement, instead of darting into the water, she turned and looked directly at me. That hesitation on her part finally allowed me to net her. As I threw the net over her, I remember uttering, "Not again girl. You’re not getting away from me again".

Within one hour of her rescue the sea lion was receiving treatment for her wounds. The first few days we were cautiously optimistic. She was socializing with other sea lions at the rehab center and seemed to be doing well. But, a little more than a week after her rescue, the sea lion whose suffering was solely due to man and whom we all fought so hard to save, died from her wounds. As human beings her death hurts us deeply. But as rescuers we know we gave her our very best. Her death will not deter our efforts.

Just a few days after that rescue the Whale Rescue Team received a call from the Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol. They advised us that another sea lion, suffering from the same kind wounds as the pervious one, was lying on their dock. I had hoped this was a late April Fools joke. Sadly, it wasn’t. Rescue efforts began immediately.

This was not the way we wanted to start the spring of 2004.

Second gill net victim.

In March, Whale Rescue Team volunteers rescued 11 Elephant seal pups, 9 sea lions and 13 birds including a Mute swan. Most of those animals are doing well and some have already been released, back into the wild.

Through March not many sea lions had stranded suffering from Domoic acid poisoning. But in April, things took a dramatic turn. Dozens of large pregnant sea lions started to strand along LA County beaches. One weekend we had 7 rescues. Observing the fright, confusion and restlessness of a sea lion suffering from Domoic acid poisoning is quite alarming, but very motivating. The Los Angeles County Lifeguards continue to provide WRT the much-needed support when rescuing the large, 180-225 pound, pregnant and sometimes aggressive sea lions.

Domoic rescues can happen in the surf line, on the beach or on rock jetties.

Minutes before being rescued by WRT this female sea lion suffers from Domoic acid poisoning.

May and June were very challenging months for WRT volunteers. As of June 29, we’ve conducted 119 marine mammal rescues and dozens of sea birds. Many of the sea lions were pregnant sea lions suffering from Domoic poisoning. We never know where or what condition we’ll find the sea lions. Some were wedged tightly into rock jetties unable to free themselves. Others would charge up onto crowded beach acting abnormally aggressive. Many of the sea lions were forced to give birth on our local beaches. Some of the pups were stillborn. Others were born healthy. But, a sea lion pups future is bleak if the mother won’t nurse. If a rescued pup doesn’t nurse, its fate is based on whether an aquarium will want the pup. Our local marine care center makes no attempt to feed a sea lion pup if the pup isn’t nursing and it isn’t wanted by an aquarium. The policy of either euthanizing a sea lion pup or letting it starve to death is unacceptable to the WRT and is one of the motivating factors for continuing our efforts to expand marine mammal care in our community.

This sea lion suffering from Domoic acid poisoning also has a plastic trash bag wrapped around its body. Rescued spring 2004.

Sea Lion Rescued in Gardena!

On June 12, we received a call from the LA City Fire Department reporting a sea lion stuck in the flood control channel around 82nd Street and Vermont, in Gardena, at least 10 miles from the ocean. Upon arrival we found a healthy looking sea lion swimming strongly but certainly confused, in the shallow murky water in the channel. Sometimes it’s best to leave the animal alone in this situation for the vast majority of them will eventually find their way back to the ocean. But, each incident is different and after evaluating the situation, I decided that this sea lion wasn’t going to find its way out. So a rescue was necessary. The location would not allow me to get the rescue truck close to the animal. If we got her, we’d have to carry the sea lion up the rocky embankment that was full of broken glass and garbage. Observing the sea lion I noticed it was tagged which meant it had previously been rescued and had already gone through the rehabilitation process. As rescuers, you have to take any advantage you can. The sea lion being tagged was the key to this rescue. The agitated and confused sea lion remained swimming in the middle of the channel avoiding our nets on the embankment. The only chance we had was to lure her to us with some frozen fish, something she would be familiar with having previously gone through rehabilitation. She responded after the first bag, getting closer and closer with every fish. Her need for food was greater than her fear of us. Then, all of a sudden she charged our location and started making her way up the embankment. Her actions allowed me to throw the hoop net over her and capture her. She was strong, very strong and aggressive. That was a good sign, but it made it much more difficult to secure her for safely carrying her up the embankment. She was attempting to bite at any pportunity she had.

SEA LION PUP – Hours old rescued with mom. Rescued spring 2004.

Watching from the overpass above a dozen Latino day workers saw the struggle and offered to assist. I gladly accepted. Without hesitation, 6-8 of the workers joined the rescue. Some guys assisted me while others got the cage ready for the sea lion. Slowly, we carried the struggling, 160-pound animal up the embankment. After about 20 minutes we made it to the cage and successfully secured her in it for transportation to the center. The look of satisfaction gleaming on everyone’s face was memorable. Rescues like this are so inspiring to me. Sure, I was glad we got the animal! But, the unselfish efforts of the day workers, who without hesitation joined in the efforts to help this animal in need of human assistance inspires me and makes me so very grateful that I have the opportunity to participate in events such as this.

As the first 6 months of the year come to an end the rescues have finally slowed down. We’ve survived another hectic and challenging spring and now we’ll catch our breath, fund raise and prepare for the challenges that lye ahead in the second half of 2004.

Harbor seal pup. Rescued spring 2004.

WRT has conducted 122 marine mammal rescues and dozens of sea birds in the first 6 months of 2004.

Things normally slow down for us around the second half of the year. But, that doesn’t mean we aren’t still constantly challenged by the myriad of situations we find marine animals in distress. Stranding incidents have also been very unpredictable since 2002. So, all we can do as marine rescue specialists, is stay prepared to face any challenge that comes our way.

Towards the end of 2004, we had conducted our second rescue of the year in the flood control channel in Gardena! That’s two sea lion rescues in Gardena in ’04. We also responded to numerous sea lions that seemed to be showing signs of never fully recovering from a bout with domoic acid
poisoning. The adult sea lions seemed very out of it. They were not very responsive to human approach. They were thin and you can detect a far away look on the faces of the ailing sea lions.

We had 13 pinniped rescues in December. One rescue was of a large, blind male sea lion. Weeks after the rescue we were advised that he had been shot. That’s what caused his blindness and death. Shotgun pellets were found under his embedded under his skin all throughout his body.
These incidents hurt us a lot and restraining myself, let’s just say, they also anger us a great deal.

We also rescued two fur seals and an elephant seal in December.

2004 also saw the WRT sign on the city of Hermosa Beach to receive our services. We did it! We now serve all the territory we’ve set out to obtain. There are no gaps! WRT is now the primary responder for marine wildlife incidents from Pacific Palisades to Wilmington.

In 2004 we ended up rescuing 165 marine mammals and over 100 sea birds.

Getting prepared for2005!