California Sea Lions
Project by: Kaung Yang , Fnu (Sophia) Yunanda , Akayi Thein and Dr. Shari Bookstaff
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Kathy:
California sea lions gather at Pier 39 because it's a sheltered environment, there's lots to eat, and they are gregarious so where one animal starts to gather others will follow. Apparently several decades ago they used to frequent "Seal rock" by Sutro Baths and Ocean Beach. However, my understanding is one year the weather was particularly bad and that same year there were several empty docks at Pier 39 so the sea lions started to gather there. They must have liked it!
Kathy:
There are many challenges to rehabilitating aquatic animals. Most of the animals I've worked with are pinnipeds, and they are comfortable on land as well as in water. However a fully aquatic animal like a dolphin often requires rehabilitators to enter the water to support the animal in its early stages of rehab, and to capture and restrain the animal for feeding, medicine, and procedures. Probably the biggest challenge comes when an animal has to be anesthetized for a surgery. Marine mammals are facultative air breathers meaning they have to consciously take a breath. (As opposed to humans and other land mammals who are obligate breathers.) This helps them when diving and spending time underwater. However, it means that when rendered unconscious for surgery they will automatically hold their breath. Veterinarians have to intubate them and either manually with an air bag or automatically with a ventilator breathe for them. This is not easy and many marine animals die under anesthesia.
Kathy:
I always loved dolphins but didn't realize people actually had careers working with them. I grew up in Wisconsin, so there wasn't much of a connection to the ocean. I pursued non-related studies for my bachelor's degree and my first job. When it came time for my master's degree, I had become interested in environmental studies and chose Duke University because they had a neat looking summer course in marine mammalogy. I took the class between my first and second year, and it was a revelation to learn all the different facets of the field. From then on, I began volunteering where ever I could with marine mammal projects. I loved it, and was fortunate to eventually get a job working with marine mammal strandings. And everything took off from there! I love working in marine animal strandings and rehabilitation because it's so meaningful. It's gratifying to help individual animals, and from a big picture perspective it's fascinating to consider what the animals are telling us about the ocean environment.
What prompted you to want to work with marine mammal and pursue a career focusing on conservation efforts?
What are some of the main challenges in working with rehabilitating animals out of the water who would otherwise spend most of their time in the water?
Why do CA sea lions gather at Pier 39 in SF?