Marine Disturbance Initiative

Marine Mammals Are Finally Getting Equal Protections in La Jolla

La Jolla is home to one of the only inland rookeries for both California Sea Lions and Harbor Seals. Both marine mammals can be seen giving birth and raising their pups right along the busy shoreline. As you can imagine this has become a very controversial location over the years with so many people coming to La Jolla to enjoy the calm waters that is great for swimming. This is also why the marine mammals chose this location as a rookery, as the calm waters makes for a perfect location for those small pups. With so many visitors coming to the beach and finding the pups, regulations needed to be put in place to protect the marine mammals from being approached by the cell phone wielding tourist trying to get their next Instagram worthy selfie.

Harbor Seal protections were put into place in 2019 with a total beach closure during seal pupping season. Now in 2022, for the first time ever, California Sea Lions will have equal protections during their pupping season May 1st to October 31st with the new area closure in La Jolla.

Harbor Seal protections have strengthened over the years with the aid of a few non-profit organizations and the California Coastal Commission issuing a five-month-per-year beach closer during pupping season. After the death of a California Sea Lion in 2021 the city of San Diego decided similar protections needed to be put in place for the California Sea Lions that life within a half a mile down the coast of the Harbor Seals. In May of 2022 the first ever California Sea Lion area closure was put into place, providing closures to the California Sea Lion rookery between May 1st and October 31st.

Efforts to continue to enforce the beach closure and educate the public of the importance of deducing marine mammal disturbance is continuing. If you would like to help support our efforts to make educational materials we urge you to donate to the Marine Disturbance Initiative today.

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A half a mile down the coast from Children’s Pool Beach, California is one of the only known inland breeding populations of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). A mother California Sea Lion share a tender moment as they rest out of the water on the rocky shoreline. California Sea Lions rely on their time out of the water for rest and thermoregulation

A group of teenage girls surround the newborn California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) in La Jolla Cove, California, petting and taking cell phone pictures. The frightened pup tries to escape the girls but finds it difficult with the rough terrain. This behavior can result in pup abandonment if the mothers arrive back while the pups are being handled.

A chain is placed across the entrance to the stairs leading down to the beach at Children’s Pool Beach La Jolla, California which is closed for Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) pupping season.

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Experience Wildlife has been partnering with a variety of non-profit organizations in Southern California that support the protection of marine mammals. In collaboration with these organizations Experience Wildlife is working towards creating outreach materials to educate about the importance to remaining a safe distance (a minimum of 50 feet) to all marine mammals as well as advocate for stronger regulations were young is present. All Limited edition prints sales support this project. Here are some of the images that have been made to support the Marine Disturbance Initiative Project. These images could not have been possible without the continued support of my art collectors.

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PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

50 PLUS YEARS OF OCEAN AND MARINE MAMMAL CONSERVATION

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center Rescues, Rehabilitates And Releases Marine Mammals And Inspires Ocean Stewardship Through Research, Education And Collaboration.

Rescue

Unlike whales and dolphins, seals and sea lions don't have to remain in water in order to survive. The animals beach themselves to be warm and dry when feeling ill. They seek rest on land for a variety of reasons and are not always in need of intervention. Our staff is trained to recognize animals suffering from infections, malnourishment, pneumonia, gill net strangulation, etc. which can harm an animal's chance for survival.

Rehabilitation

When a "patient" is admitted, our staff performs all necessary procedures under the direction and protocols set by the Animal Care Director and our Veterinary Medical Director. During the course of rehabilitation, animals require a variety of treatments such as administration of antibiotics and subcutaneous fluids, tube feeding, force feeding, wound care, etc.

Most animals come in dehydrated and the most effective means to provide fluids and nourishment is through tube feeding. The process requires blending of fish, electrolytes, warm water, vitamins, and medication into a fish formula. This formula is fed to the animals by inserting a flexible tube into the stomach using large syringes. As soon as the animals are hydrated and stable, we wean them to eat whole fish.

Release

Once an animal has gained an optimal weight and is competing for food, it's ready for release. Prior to release, each animal is tagged with an identification number. The color-coded tags indicate the animal has been rehabilitated and helps identify the specific animal and care center in case the animal needs care in the future. We strive to return every one of our patients back to the wild once their care with us is complete.

make a donation directly to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center

PMMC Sea Lion Release 6-4-21 Jennifer Leigh Warner Low Res (28).JPG

learn more about la jolla’s marine mammals

California Sea Lion

1. Sea Lions have longer flippers and are able to walk on the front flippers on land.
2. Sea Lions have outer ear flaps.
3. Sea Lions propel themselves with their long front flippers, moving them like oars.
4. Male Sea Lions will make loud barking noises when defending and claiming territories. This signature barking sound is what many people associate with sea lions.
5. Sea Lions are a light brown color.
6. Sea Lions need to continue to eat while nursing their pups and will go out to sea for as much as three days at a time, leaving their pups on shore with other newborn pups in the rookery. They will also nurse their pups for up to 6 months of age.

Harbor Seals

1. Seals have shorter flippers and therefore must wiggle on the bellies when they are on land.
2. Seals have no visible ear flaps and only have tiny holes on the side of their heads where their "ears" would be.
3. Seals move their back flippers side to side like a fish tail when swimming.
4. Seals will make a variety of low grunts and growls as well as pup calling sounds, but for the most part they are much more quiet than sea lions.
5. Seals can range in color from light gray to silver with dark spots. Some are black or dark gray to brown with white rings.
6. Seals will fast while nursing their pups and stay by their side until they are weaned which only takes about 16 days.

harbor seal birth video

What do you do if you see a marine mammal in distress?

*SeaWorld Rescue*

If you have seen an animal in distress or in need of help, please contact our Rescue team.
Phone: **1-800-541- SEAL (7325)**
Email: **SWC.Rescue@seaworld.com**
Helpful information to give the Rescue Team:
Date animal was last seen
Time animal was last seen
Location (name of beach, address, landmark etc.)
Size of the animal compared to a dog breed
Is the animal thin? Can you see its ribs, hips or spine?
Is the animal entangled in fishing gear?

How we’ve made a difference

thousands of dollars donated

Experience Wildlife directly donates funds to organizations by raising money through print sales, leading workshops and publishing articles. A portion of all proceeds are donated directly to our partner organizations.

dozens of images donated

Experience Wildlife donates images to be auctioned off during fundraising events for our partner non-profit organizations. Funds raised from these images goes to supporting field work.

dozens of workshops lead

Experience Wildlife leads conservation focused workshops that partner directly with non-profit organizations. These trips allow our guest to work first hand at creating storytelling imagery that directly supports conservation efforts.

Looking to partner with us for your conservation work?

Experience Wildlife is always looking for conservation based non-profit organizations to partner with. Conservation is built into everything we do and that includes helping organizations raise funds to support their missions. If you want to learn more about how to become a conservation partner click the apply today button below.

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