Page background

The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre

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. We operate the Rescue Centre without governmental operational support.

Siyay the Harbour Porpoise

A Second Chance

 
About MMR icon

About MMR

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.

Rehabilitation icon

Rehabilitation

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.

Release icon

Release

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.

Rescue icon

Rescue

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.

How You Help icon

How You Help

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.

Crew & Volunteers icon

Crew & Volunteers

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.

Meet Our Patients icon

Meet Our Patients

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.

Contact icon

Contact

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.

Jellyfish

Share Your Thoughts

How was your visit? Fill in our comment card and let us know.
Find it here

Whales Of The North

Whales Of The North

Our special new beluga show, on now until February 29.
Read more

Starfish

Did You Know?

A butterfly’s top speed is approximately 19 km/hour. Read more