Elmer, the once malnourished harbor seal pup rescued from the shores of Palos Verdes’ Christmas Tree cove, is now thriving and joyfully on his way to his permanent home, thanks to dedicated care and support of the team at the Marine Mammal Care Center.
MMCC CEO John Warner says as Elmer matured, it became apparent the adorable harbor seal pup, found alone on the beach with his umbilical cord still attached, lacked the typical interest and ability to catch fish.
“This is a vital skill for independent survival. Veterinary examinations revealed bilateral cataracts, resulting in blindness in both eyes. You can take comfort in knowing that blind harbor seals can go on to live full lives, but as you can imagine, returning to the wild isn’t a viable option for Elmer,” Warner explains.
The good news is many zoos and aquariums are willing to adopt marine mammals like Elmer that are in need of permanent care. NOAA is actively searching for an ideal facility among zoos and aquariums to provide Elmer with the specialized care he requires for optimal well-being.
With conditional approval from NOAA Fisheries, Elmer is expected to be transported to his new home in early 2024, less than a year after he was found.
Elmer’s incredible journey, fueled by the compassion of countless individuals, underscores the importance and resilience of wild animals. Rescued at just a few days old, Elmer faced slim chances of survival, but thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, he now has a second lease on life.
As a reminder, when at the beach, encourage others to share the shore by giving animals a minimum of 50 feet of space, using zoom on cameras for pictures, and promptly reporting distressed marine mammals to the hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE.
