The Marine Mammal Center is hoping to reverse an alarming trend in wildlife disturbances.
More than a quarter of the sea mammals rescued annually by the Sausalito-based animal hospital have been harmed by human or dog interactions over the past three years, according to data released by the organization this month.
Such instances were reported in 257 cases in 2024, accounting for 26% of all mammals rescued from the Northern and Central Coast and admitted to the hospital.
The number and frequency is cause for concern, officials said.
“So often people see a seal or sea lion out on the beach, they think something’s wrong and they want to try and help it,” said Adam Ratner, director of conservation engagement at the Marine Mammal Center.
“They go up to it and maybe they try and put water on it or they try and help it back into the water, and it’s just misguided, actually causing more harm than good,” he said.
There were 25 cases reported in Marin County last year.
“Although lower in the total number of cases compared to some other counties, (Marin) has an exceedingly high number of severe disturbances with young seal pups, which can be life-threatening interactions,” said Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the center.
“The center is working diligently to try and find solutions to course correct these behaviors that are often well-intentioned, but can cause life-threatening consequences,” Rulli said. “We’re really trying to get the word out as school winds down and people start heading to the beaches with the warming weather.”
Marin is fortunate to have a healthy harbor seal population, Ratner said. There are several shores in Marin where visitors can witness harbor seals being born, or see them in their first days.
Often the pups’ mother will leave them to search for food. Beach visitors only see the lonely pup and think something is wrong, prompting them to step in, Ratner said.
“They’re approaching these animals out of genuine concern,” Ratner said. “The problem is they’re actually the ones maybe causing some of the worst issues.”
Drakes Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore is among shorelines that close during the spring pupping season as elephant seals set up camp for their annual ritual.
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Monterey County had the second-highest incidence rate with 53 cases; Santa Cruz had 36 cases, and San Mateo had 29 cases.
In San Francisco County, 16 cases of disturbances were reported; nine in Sonoma County; seven in Mendocino County and one each in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
Those who find a sick or injured animal are encouraged to call the center’s hotline to report it. The hotline number is 415-289-7325. Visitors who want to assess the situation should maintain the recommended 150-foot distance from the animal and use the zoom feature on their cameras or smartphones, Ratner said.
Visitors to the center can have up-close experiences the animals. More information is at marinemammalcenter.org.
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