The coast of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the waters of the Pacific Ocean offer a wild and wondrous home to many living things. Just south of Terranea the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC) in San Pedro is making a positive impact on the ocean and inspiring others to do the same.
A handful of amazing veterinary professionals along with an army of volunteers offer what is the only safe haven for marine animals in Los Angeles County. The MMCC rescues distressed marine mammals along the coast between Long Beach and Malibu and works to reintroduce them to the ocean.
According to John Warner, CEO of MMCC, thousands of marine mammals have received food, shelter, and medical care in the nonprofit organization’s 32-year history. The MMCC at Fort Macarthur opened in 1992 after the 1987 closure of Marineland of the Pacific’s Marine Mammal Care Center. Operating as a link between the ocean and researchers, the MMCC also participates in various research programs and projects.
The dedicated team of staff and volunteers, led by Warner, is committed to promoting awareness about the fragile ocean ecosystem.
In the summer months of 2023 a toxic algae bloom off the coast killed and sickened dozens of sea lions, seals and dolphins across Southern California and the team at MMCC is working continuously to rehabilitate them. Veterinarians say there is no antidote to the toxic algae which causes severe dehydration, so the team primarily tries to rehydrate these precious marine
mammals giving them the love, time and space they need before returning to their natural habitat.
When the elephant seal pups became sick and began washing ashore in droves. MMCC volunteers quickly stepped in and began the labor and time intensive project of “mothering” the pups and teaching them to eat fish.
CEO Warner explains that the babies were malnourished and emaciated because without their mothers they don’t have the ability to forage for food. For the most part they have no other health problems so volunteers spend hours feeding the pups fish and teaching them to hunt for food so they can be returned to their ocean habitat.
Visitors never know what they will see when they get to the Marine Mammal Care Center but the animals are sure to delight. Everyone is welcome to stop by the MMCC to see the animals between 10am and 4pm daily. Admission is free, donations are appreciated.
The Marine Mammal Care Center primarily treats California Sea Lions, Northern Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, and Northern Fur Seals but you never know what you will see on any given day so check it out.
Marine Mammal Care Center
3601 South Gaffey St. #8, San Pedro, California
(310) 548-5677 | marinemammalcare.org
