Baby Seals Released in Bodega Bay!

This weekend, the Marine Mammal Center released eight rehabilitated seal pups at a beach just north of Bodega Bay. I'd like to thank Laurel Carney for these photos, video, and guest post documenting the celebration!

Since their founding in 1975, the Marine Mammal Center has rescued and treated over 15,000 sea mammals. Roughly three months ago, they took in eight abandoned baby harbor seals from various Northern California coastal areas. Each was only a few days old, young enough to still have its umbilical cord attached. They were malnourished, and a few had even developed umbilical infections. The Center fed them well, nursed them back to health, then made sure they could track and catch live fish on their own before deeming them rehabilitated. They took great care not to get too friendly or treat them as pets. They prevent the pups from becoming tame by keeping contact at a minimum. That means no unnecessary handling such as cuddling or pampering, darn!





Today, Executive Director Dr. Jeff Boehm welcomed over one hundred visitors and volunteers to the coast just north of Portuguese Beach in Bodega Bay to witness the joyful release of these eight adorable harbor seals.



Keep in mind, these pups had no memories of sand, the ocean or waves. All they'd known for the past three months were swimming pools and concrete decks. Now, their entire universe was changing dramatically right before their eyes! Although hardwired for a life at sea, the adjustment is never predictable.

The first two seals that emerged from their cages clearly knew what they were supposed to do. They immediately flopped as fast as their little tummies and tails would propel them directly into the ocean. One hung around offshore for a few minutes to check on the remaining six, but I suppose the sea was a-callin', because he soon disappeared under the waves to join his brave buddy.



The remaining six harbor seal pups needed more time to get the hang of this "real world" thing.



Huddling together as a group, they shuffled and flopped towards the water. But as soon as they'd gather the courage to go for it, another wave would roll in and scatter them back up onto the beach.



Here's a video we took of the seals' journey home. I dare you not to go ga-ga over how cute the wiggle-flip-flop walk of a baby seal is. I dare ya! It's kinda long, you can see how long it takes them to get used to their new world.



Eventually, after dozens of false starts, each seal managed to dive past the breaking waves and glide safely out to sea. It was a totally uplifting, heartwarming experience. We're so grateful to the Marine Mammal Center and their many volunteers for their hard work and tireless devotion to saving the lives of these magnificent creatures.

You can read more about the Center's work and view lots more photos in a post about last year's Bodega Bay release by clicking here.

What to do if you see a marine mammal in distress: Click here.

24 Hour Rescue Lines (to report a stranded marine mammal)
In the San Francisco Bay Area including San Jose, San Mateo, Marin and Sonoma Counties call: 415.289.SEAL (7325)
In the Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties call: 831.633.6298.
In the San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay Counties call: 805.771.8300

Want to volunteer for the Marine Mammal Center? Click here.

The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit, supported by donations from folks like us. Learn more about how to support them here.

The Marine Mammal Center
Marin Headlands
2000 Bunker Road
Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA 94965
Main Line: 415.289.7325

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Kayaks, Sea Lions, and Seals, Oh My!

One of the first things we wanted to do as a family was learn how to kayak. We found Bodega Bay Kayak provided everything needed for beginners: kayak rentals, lifejackets and a hysterically entertaining onshore clinic by owner/comedian Bob Miller. Bob is a seasoned pro and his humor helps ease the fears of anyone who might feel a little apprehensive. We went out in Bodega Harbor which, compared to the Bay, has calm waters, isn’t as cold, and is quite shallow in some areas depending on the tide.

My husband and Daughter #2 are very sporty so we knew it would be a piece of cake for them. Daughter #1 and I are definitely not athletic so I wasn’t sure how we’d do. But guess what, kayaking is awesome! You simply glide effortlessly across the smooth water and you feel weightless. It can be silent, still and serene, or you can row like crazy for a major cardio-workout. We loved it all, we were hooked!


Last summer we had a wonderful multi-generational family reunion out here and we all went kayaking in the harbor together. We saw tons of gorgeous shore birds, pelicans, cormorants, seagulls, coots, ducks, and some others I couldn’t identify.


We also saw up to half a dozen harbor seals. They were all around and often swam up close to our kayaks. Legally I think we’re supposed to keep 50 yards away from marine mammals, but nobody told THEM that. They were gentle and friendly, and would swim quietly along looking at us for a while, then pop back under the water only to reappear someplace else a few moments later. They had smooth, sleek coats of gray or brown with dark spots.

There are also some big sea lions that hang out by the piers along The Tides Restaurant and Lucas Wharf. You can tell seals and sea lions apart because seals have little slits for ears and sea lions have ears that stick out. From what we’ve seen, the sea lions are also about twice the size of seals. And sea lions bark but seals don’t.

On one kayak outing, we saw some commercial fishermen throwing batches of leftover fish parts into the water near a group of sea lions. You would not believe the feeding frenzy that ensued right before our eyes. The sea lions were leaping out of the water grabbing for the meat in mid-air, thrashing, crashing into each other, and splashing all over the place. Seagulls appeared out of nowhere, swooping down to catch little pieces that were flying out of the sea lions’ mouths, while still maintaining a safe distance from the gnashing teeth. At the end of this spectacle, one fisherman leaned way out over the water to hold out a big slab of fish and a sea lion jumped clear up out of the water to grab it, just like at Marine World or something. I tell ya, you never know what you’re going to encounter on a kayaking adventure in Bodega Harbor.