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The Marine Mammal Rescue Centre acts like a hospital for abandoned, injured, or
sick marine mammals. Patients are brought in from all over
the B.C. coast and cared for until they are well enough to
be released into the wild. Since the Aquarium started helping
injured marine mammals in the 1960s, the MMR has treated
elephant seals, sea otters, Steller sea lions, harbour porpoises,
common dolphins, and killer whales. Harbour seals are the
most commonly admitted. In some years, the MMR can be taking
care of 100 of them at a time.
Because the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre runs without support from the government for its operation, it depends on donations and volunteers. There
are various ways you can help:
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If you see a marine mammal in distress, call the
Marine Mammal Rescue Centre first at
604-258-SEAL (7325). Don't try to move it unless
a Marine Mammal Rescue staff member has okayed it!
For example, a harbour seal pup that looks orphaned or abandoned may have simply
been temporarily left on safe dry land while its mother
goes foraging for food.
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Donate household items. The Marine
Mammal Rescue Centre is always in need of supplies
to carry out day-to-day activities. Towels, gloves, and
rubber boots are all household items that can be put
to good use at the rescue centre.
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Follow safe marine mammal watching guidelines. Seals
can become orphaned if their mothers are struck by boats.
Steller sea lions are in more remote locations, but are
still at risk if a boat comes too close. By keeping a
safe distance from animals that are in water or on land, you can reduce the risk of disturbance
to marine mammals. More information can be found in the cetaceans
section of this site.
For further information on the Marine Mammal Rescue
Centre, you can visit their website.
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