CHANNEL ISLANDS MARINE SANCTUARY : TWENTY SEVEN DIFFERENT SPECIES OF WHALES AND DOLPHINS and PINNEPEDS GALORE!

CHANNEL ISLANDS NOAA MARINE SANCTUARY 

• Twenty-seven different species of whales and dolphins visit or call Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary their home including the world's largest congregation of blue whales. Other species include fin, humpback, and gray whales. Common dolphins, orcas, and Risso's dolphins also frequent the region.

• Five species of pinnipeds, including California sea lions, elephant seals, and harbor seals depend on the sanctuary for feeding and breeding.

• Sixty species of seabirds including the rare Scripps's murrelet and California brown pelican nest, feed, and migrate here.

PACIFIC MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER : PINNIPED HOSPITAL IN LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA

PACIFIC MMC ORG : CALL IF YOU SEE A SICK SEA LION  Located in Laguna Beach, Southern California.

If you see an animal who is ill, perhaps showing signs of the recent algea bloom toxicity, do not push them back into the water or get near them. 

According to PMMC the most common Pinnipeds to Southern California are Northern elephant seals, Pacific harbor seals, and California sea lions.  Occasionally, the treat Northern fur seals.  PMMC is also the only temporary holding facilities for small whales and dolphins between Santa Barbara and San Diego.

ANIMALOGIC PRESENTS A VIDEO ON SEALS

This video is informative and fun and I loved the art too : From Animalogic.  In a lifetime the most dominant Elephant Seal can sire 500 pups. But he sure does have to fight it out to do so. The females choose!?  They can hold their breath for a hundred minutes while the harbor seals can hold it for 30.  

ELEPHANT SEALS OF THE PIEDRAS BLANCAS MARINE ANIMAL SANCTUARY - REBOUNDED FROM NEAR EXTINCTION

This Marine Animal Sanctuary that is about six miles of California Pacific Ocean coastline is the only one in the world that is free and always open. 

FRIENDS OF THE ELEPHANT SEALS

The Elephant Seals were once, before the Endangered Species Act, thought to be down to about 30 animals as they were hunted for their blubber, their skin and coats not used for fashion.  However, the population is now estimated to be up to 250,000!

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU!

 

PINNIPEDS

 

SEA LION - CREATIVE CREATURE ART