PHOTOS: Learn More About SeaLife Response + Rehab + Research (SR3)
The non-profit organization is dedicated to assisting injured or sick marine wildlife, rehabilitating them for a second chance at life, and doing research to inform conservation efforts. Learn more by looking at the photos and reading the captions below.
Harbor seal patients at SR3's SeaLife Rescue Center receive expert care and lots of hearty fish meals until they're ready to return to the wild. All of these seal pups were found in distress due to human impacts, whether that led to injuries, disease, or a disturbance that caused their mothers to abandon them.
If you spot a seal, or any other marine mammal on the beach, make sure you and your pets stay at least 100 yards (about the length of a football field) away! Please contact the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network if you believe a marine mammal needs help: 1-866-767-6114.
Did you know that Guadalupe fur seals often wash ashore in need of care during the winter months in the Pacific Northwest? Thankfully SR3's SeaLife Rescue Center is able to care for endangered and threatened species like this. The fur seal pictured here washed ashore underweight and suffering from pneumonia, but he made a full recovery before returning to his ocean home!
While often associated with tropical climates, sea turtles follow warm water currents up the Pacific coast. Winter storms can push them into cold waters and lead to a life-threatening emergency. Fortunately SR3 is prepared to help these threatened and endangered species. If you ever see a sea turtle on shore in the Pacific Northwest, it means they are in need of urgent care; please immediately call 1-866-767-6114.
Harbor seal Scout was found in desperate need - skinny, dehydrated, and malnourished - on a busy beach in Ocean Shores, Washington after people spooked her mom away. Too young to survive on her own, Scout was admitted to SR3's SeaLife Rescue Center, where she received all of the fishy meals and medical care she needed to grow strong before returning to her ocean home!
Harbor seal pup Grateful receives a veterinary exam as she's admitted to SR3's SeaLife Rescue Center. You can help feed and care for Grateful, and many other patients like her, by chipping in at: https://www.sealifer3.org/donate. Thank you for helping marine animals in need get a second chance at life in the wild!
Aerial image of a "Sounder" gray whale surfacing after a foraging dive on ghost shrimp in the Puget Sound in March 2021. Image was collected non-invasively using a remotely-controlled drone flown at >150ft over the whales under NMFS research permit 19091. Photo by Holly Fearnbach (SR3) and John Durban (SEA).
Aerial Images documenting the shape change during pregnancy of an adult female Southern Resident killer whale (J36), collected during non-invasive health research by Holly Fearnbach (SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation and Research, SR3) and John Durban (Southall Environmental Associates, SEA). Images. collected non-invasively using a remotely-controlled drone flown at >100ft over the whales under NMFS research permits 19091 and 22306. Photo by Holly Fearnbach (SR3) and John Durban (SEA).
Aerial image of an adult female Southern Resident killer whale (J41), and her two offspring J51 and J58 collected during non-invasive health research by Holly Fearnbach (SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation and Research, SR3) and John Durban (Southall Environmental Associates, SEA). Image collected non-invasively using a remotely-controlled drone flown at >100ft over the whales under NMFS research permits 22306. Photo by Holly Fearnbach (SR3) and John Durban (SEA).
