Edhat Reader
A sea lion was rescued at Hendry’s Beach on Monday around 6:00 p.m. by the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.
I didn’t ask the volunteers what was up with the animal but with all the warnings lately about domoic acid I’m going to assume its the culprit.
The sea lion looked disoriented and was clinging to the rocks when rescuers arrived. They were able to safely and slowly move the animal into the carrier for treatment.
Distressed sea lion rescued from Hendry’s Beach in Santa Barbara on September 23, 2024 (video by an edhat reader)
As a public service announcement, beachgoers with dogs should keep their dogs far away from these animals in distress. And when a rescue is taking place, keep your dog on leash and at a large distance to keep all volunteers safe.
If these animals come into our care before significant damage occurs, we are often able to help flush the toxin from their systems by giving them fluids. We also provide them with a fish source that is free of domoic acid. To control any seizures, our veterinarians give these patients anti-seizure medications that are also used in humans.
https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/science-conservation/research-library/domoic-acid-toxicosis
EASTBEACH – thank you for some actual facts here.
Read up, RUBY.
RUBY – no one ever said euthanasia should never be an option. Your suggestion to just kill seals on the beach without trying to rescue them, despite not knowing what their ailment is, and that rescuing these animals is a waste of money (again, not your money), is what I’ve been calling you out on.
I swear, you and BASIC seem really, eerily similar in the way you move goalposts, ignore facts and get constantly proven wrong or ignorant here by multiple people. Cousins?
They are suffering from Domoic Poisoning and to rescue a brain damaged animal and subsequently release it in to the wild where he will slowly die is cruel.
Look, you are not a marine biologist. You have no experience in treating this condition. You are not even on site to assess the condition of these animals, and if you were you wouldn’t have the expertise for it.
The mortality rate for seals with Domoic poisoning is not 100%, though it is high.
You seem to have ignored the comment from East Beach.
You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about on this topic so maybe give it a rest.
The rube never seems to know anything about the subjects he comments on, and repeats the same faulty assertions over and over.
Rescuer did a great job!
Great progress
There are problems with doing expensive rescues on these animals – first they are in abundance and not at all endangered. Second they have irreversable brain damage, their instincts are impaired, and they will slowly die in the wild. The best thing is to euthanize them and use the money in a more worth while endeavor.
RUBY…… ugh. What “problems?” For one, so what if they’re “in abundance?” Just let them slowly die and rot on the beach? They’re living creatures who are major players in our ecosystem. They’re not sand fleas. Second, how do you know what this animal is suffering from? You don’t, that’s the answer.
And finally, it’s not your money. “CIMWI is essentially an all-volunteer organization” -https://www.cimwi.org/about-cimwi
Dude, your hate of everything is exhausting.
Rulli said it’s one of those tragic situations in which “euthanasia is often the primary and No. 1” response to relieve suffering, “especially when dolphins are showing seizures.”
Fro the Marine Center
Thank you Sajon and Alexblue; CIMWI Channel Island Marine and Wildlife Institute is a wonderful local non profit with a board of directors with extensive experience with marine mammals. The organization is run largely with the help of trained volunteers. Pairing these leaders with the volunteers that are responsible CIMWI’s day-to-day operations creates a winning combination. CIMWI volunteers provide the skill, time, energy and dedication that enable CIMWI to make a difference. I had a wonderful, interesting time volunteering with CIMWI. For more info go to their website: https://www.cimwi.org/about-cimwi
CIMWI is a fantastic organization. I have been to their facility and it’s impressive. Thank you for giving your time to these animals in need.
This study from NOAA found a 44% survival rate among rescued sea lions. Best predictive factor was whether they ate while in rehab.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10577433/
That’s survival in captivity – once released they’ve lost their survival instincts.
Prove it.