During the months of February through April, the California Wildlife Center asks beachgoers to be on the lookout for Northern Elephant Seal pups. Typically, these animals haul out during the spring months on Malibu beaches and should be left alone. Many are underweight, dehydrated and can become stressed by human activity nearby. From April through August, California Sea Lions can be seen hauling out on rocks and beaches. While most are healthy individuals warming up in the sun, some may be injured, sick or orphaned and in need of rescue. Pacific Harbor Seal pups are frequently found on beaches alone, seemingly abandoned, but their mother is often just off-shore foraging for food and will return shortly. Other animals spotted daily in Malibu are marine birds such as pelicans, grebes, cormorants, gulls and loons.
Marine mammals on the beach
Sea lions and seals get out of the water daily to rest, warm up and socialize. Species such as Pacific Harbor Seals will often leave their pups on a deserted beach while the mother forages for food. These are healthy pups just waiting for their mother’s return, which won’t happen if crowds of people are surrounding the pup or if the pup has been moved. A marine mammal out of the water may be sick, injured or orphaned, but is not necessarily always in distress, and that is why the professionals of California Wildlife Center’s Marine Mammal Response Team should be called to make an assessment of the animal’s condition. A dolphin or whale out of the water is always an emergency and the Response Team should be called immediately.
Marine birds on the beach
Hundreds of species of marine and shore birds share the beaches of Malibu with residents and visitors. Gulls, pelicans, grebes, murres, cormorants, loons and many others are susceptible to oil spills, fishing gear entanglements, marine debris, disease and harassment. Species such as loons, grebes and murres should never be found on the beach and may be in need of immediate rescue.
What to do
If you see a marine mammal or marine bird DO NOT APPROACH THE ANIMAL! Do not touch, pick up, feed or pour water on the animal. Instead, watch the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet. Note physical characteristics and the animal’s condition, then determine the exact location of the animal.
Call CWC’s Emergency Hotline at 310.458.WILD (9453).
