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The Vancouver Aquarium has been involved in the rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals for almost fifty years. In that time, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre has grown from admitting one or two animals in a season, to admitting over 150 in recent years. Animals receive expert veterinary treatment and supportive care to recuperate before they are released.
If you see a marine mammal that you believe is in distress, contact us at 604-258-SEAL (7325), or at the emergency number 604-862-1647.
The primary goal of the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre is to provide housing and care for ill, injured, or abandoned marine mammals and rehabilitate them for release back into their natural habitat.
The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre is a hospital for sick, injured, or orphaned marine mammals. Throughout an animal's rehabilitation, a healthy, low-stress environment is essential in order to keep them true to their "wild" nature.
Our primary goal is to rehabilitate marine mammals for release back into their natural habitat. Thorough medical exams help ensure that our patients have the best possible chance of long-term survival once released.
The Marine Mammal Rescue program assists distressed marine mammals from the British Columbia coastline, whose patients range from elephant and harbour seals, sea otters, sea lions, sea turtles, harbour porpoises and other cetaceans including killer whales.
Rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals is a highly labour-intensive process. We're lucky to have many dedicated volunteers, however the costs of medications, veterinary care, animal food and more add up quickly. Our work relies heavily on the support of our donors.
Our Marine Mammal Rescue team includes a highly trained staff veterinarian (as well as several consulting veterinarians), animal health technicians, animal care and rehabilitation specialists, and many many dedicated volunteers.
Read our blog to find in-depth information on the animals we have rescued, animals who have been released back into the wild, information on tracked animals and much more.
Find a list of contact information for the departments here. If you see a marine mammal that you believe is in distress, contact the MMR Centre at 604-258-SEAL (7325), or at the emergency number 604-862-1647.
Find out who is currently at the marine mammal rescue centre. We update this area of our website regularly with updates and information about the animal patients we are currently caring for.
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Experience the Jelly Invasion
May 16 to November 12, 2013
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Sea otters hold hands to rest in groups called “rafts”.
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