Marine Mammal Center

Rescue & Rehab of Marine Mammals, Research, and education.

Responding Responsibly

We rescue marine mammals for many different reasons, including malnourishment, separation, entanglements, and diseases, but nearly 10% of the animals we rescue have been impacted by human interaction and hazards like net and fishing line entanglements, gun shots, illegal pick-ups, and boat strikes – making their rescue all the more our responsibility.

Recognizing Interdependence

What we do is more than kind-hearted consideration for the well-being of other living creatures. We recognize the fundamental relationship that binds humans, animals, and the ocean. Covering more than 70% of our planet, the ocean is Earth's primary life-support system – and these animals are critical bellwethers of its health. By caring for them, we care for all of life.

Expanding Knowledge

We partner with leading scientists and other professionals in order to learn from the patients in our care - patients from healthy, endangered, and at-risk populations - and to expand and advance scientific knowledge, thus enhancing understanding of the health of our oceans and the implications for human health. We disseminate knowledge to members of the scientific community and the general public. Ultimately, we inspire action and foster stewardship towards the care of our environment.

Our Responsibility. Our Passion. Our Values.

• We rescue and humanely treat ill, injured, or orphaned marine mammals, and return healthy ones to the wild. Since 1975, our hospital facility has rescued and treated over 18,000 elephant seals, sea lions, whales, sea otters, harbor seals, fur seals, dolphins, harbor porpoises and more – many from threatened and endangered species.
• We educate and communicate to help build a sense of responsibility and connection to the marine environment and marine mammals, and inspire action to protect the oceans. Each year, our education programs and events reach over 30,000 children and adults.
• We conduct scientific inquiry to increase knowledge of marine mammals, their health and their environment, and to help assure their long-term survival. Our science programs derive vital data from our sick and injured patients - what diseases they suffer, how their immune systems work, and how they're affected by changes in their environment