2024 Marine Wildlife Success Stories

by Rachel Bishop, Development and Communications Officer

Tinkerbell the harbor seal pup rests on the beach as she returns to the ocean. NOAA Permit #24359.

Since the doors of SR3’s SeaLife Rescue Center first opened in 2021, together we have gone from finding our footing to building real momentum.

Below are the highlights from our 2024 Impact Report to supporters like you. Behind each of these numbers is the face of an animal like Tinkerbell (above) who was protected thanks to this generous community.

And every success is a reflection of the progress we’ve made together - for the oceans, for marine animals, and for the future of conservation!

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342 RESPONSE CALLS ANSWERED

Veterinarian Michelle keeps Zaratan’s head above water during a feeding attempt early on in care. USFWS #0009803-0.

Zaratan - an endangered loggerhead sea turtle - was one of many marine animals who received emergency response services thanks to your support. When she washed ashore in Oregon after becoming hypothermic in our cold Pacific Northwest waters, our team drove overnight to bring her to safety.

During her time in care, Zaratan regained her mobility and appetite, recovered from pneumonia, and ultimately she returned to warmer waters off the coast of Southern California.

As rising water temperatures are forcing endangered animals like Zaratan to shift their habitats, your support allows us to serve as boots-on-the-ground responders to the climate crisis.

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61 REHABILITATION PATIENTS ADMITTED

Griffin’s return to the ocean, a satellite tracker glued to his back. NOAA Permit #24359.

Griffin, our first patient of the harbor seal pupping season, was diagnosed with megaesophagus - a condition historically considered a death sentence for seals. But thanks to a groundbreaking new treatment, Griffin defied the odds.

After 152 days at the Rescue Center, Griffin returned to the ocean after overcoming a condition that once would have made it impossible for him to recover and swim free again.

Fueled by your compassion, SR3 was the first in the region to successfully treat this previously fatal disorder in harbor seals. A total of three patients with megaesophagus were treated this year and released back to the wild!

Staff and volunteers celebrate Griffin’s release.

“Each seal pup was incredibly special… It was such a rewarding experience to be part of their journey and see the progress they made.”

— SR3 Volunteer

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10 RESEARCH PROJECTS ADVANCED

Through research projects on a wide range of whale and dolphin populations around the world, together we advanced global ocean conservation by shedding light on the effects of climate change and other human-caused threats.

J pod Southern Resident killer whales in July 2024. Image obtained using an octocopter drone that was flown non-invasively >100ft above the whales under NMFS research permit 22306 and DFO Research License MML-50.

For the endangered Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs), our researchers collected critical health data in ten months out of the year, triggering urgent protections for 16 vulnerable whales essential to the population’s survival.

With your support of the research driving these emergency measures over the past four years, together we played a key role in securing a new law that will help safeguard all SRKWs in Washington waters by requiring boats to give them extra space starting in January 2025.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

Over the year, volunteers contributed 8,810 hours to rescuing and protecting marine life, equating to a value of $295,047!

Through this time and dedication, 9,751 people were educated on ocean health, 14,000+ meals were delivered to patients at the Rescue Center, and much more.

17.6 pounds was the average weight of rehabilitated pups at intake

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49.4 pounds was the average weight of rehabilitated pups at release

SR3’s 2024 FINANCIALS

Animal care staff KC (left) teaches past intern and volunteer Sam (right) how to feed a harbor seal progressing through fish school. NOAA Permit #24359.

Your generosity made it possible to save all of the animals pictured here, and created a ripple of benefits for many others who are still depending on us. Thank you!

The Invisible Threats

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

Harbor seal 25-2 on Alki Beach, Seattle, in January. Photo taken by community member James Tilley.

You see a harbor seal alone on the beach. They seem to be alert and able to move. They’re lifting their head and hind flippers, a sign that the seal has enough energy to be able to regulate their temperature.

But what is normal for a harbor seal? Is something wrong?

In the case of SR3’s second patient of the year, 25-2, yes something was wrong. This harbor seal was doing all the actions mentioned above, yet she was also skinny and didn’t have any visible moisture around her eyes. This suggests dehydration and, along with her malnourishment, is an indicator of potential illness.

A harbor seal pup at the beginning of care without moisture rings around their eyes, and then the same seal later in care, now well hydrated with visible dark rings around their eyes.

Wild animals are skilled at hiding their illnesses until they are extremely sick, so we can’t see every issue an animal is facing during field observation. In the case of 25-2, it turns out that she wasn’t just dehydrated, she also had respiratory and urogenital infections that were discovered during her full exam at the Rescue Center. A blood test confirmed these infections, and a fecal sample showed us that she was battling parasites as well. 

Marine mammals are exposed to parasites through the food they eat, so we tend to see more of them in our patients who are old enough to eat fish. While parasites are a natural part of being a marine mammal in the wild, they can also overwhelm an animal if they have a lowered immune system due to things like injuries, infections or toxins. 25-2 unfortunately died a week into her care, and once an animal autopsy was conducted, we discovered she had thorny-headed worms, a harmful parasite that causes intestinal bleeding and infection. Some studies have also connected thorny-headed worms to heavy metals, PCBs, high nutrient loads, and other environmental pollution.

25-2 in a transport tote on her way to a medical exam at the Rescue Center.

Which leads us to another struggle that 25-2 was facing: humans. 

Millions of people live in the Puget Sound, which means there is going to be a crossover between the locations where marine mammals like to rest and where people like to recreate, especially for animals that are already sick or injured and have less energy to avoid people. Therefore, the responsibility falls on people to ensure the animal’s safety from manmade dangers. 25-2 came to rest on a very populated beach in Seattle, and while she was brought into care before any direct human interaction impacted her on the beach, we have admitted other patients who suffered dog bites, gunshots, boat strikes, and other negative human-animal events. 

No matter the species, their location, or their story, sick and injured animals deserve medical attention to determine what is wrong, especially since it is frequently human-caused. Though 25-2 didn’t survive, she still provides a legacy both for scientific research and marine mammal medicine. She helps us learn about the issues marine wildlife are facing and how we can work to mitigate those threats. She is an example of an animal that, while alert on the beach, was still in need of care. Because of this, we always encourage you to call response professionals anytime you are concerned about an animal.

What should you do if you see a marine mammal on the beach?

• Stay far away - if they look at you, you’re too close

• Keep your pets on a leash

• If you notice an injury, signs of illness, or anything else that concerns you, call your local marine mammal response organization

• Kindly let others in the area know to give the animal space

Volunteering at SR3

By Jesse Katz-Klug, Volunteer Coordinator

Six animal husbandry volunteers in their dish gloves and slickers smile for a photo during a sunny summer shift. NOAA Permit #24359.

Interested in a meaningful way to get involved? 

SR3 is excited to offer expanded volunteer opportunities for anyone (18+) to join - no prior experience required! 

Whether you're eager to train for a hands-on role in animal husbandry or prefer to support our mission behind the scenes, there’s a place for you. Each position plays a vital role with unique requirements to ensure the safety and success of your shift. Please note that all roles are currently in-person only.

If you wish to join the SR3 Volunteer Class of 2025 in any capacity, you will need to submit an application (if you haven’t done so already), and complete our orientation by watching a video and confirming your interest through an online form by Monday, April 7th, 2025. If it is after April 7th, you can still fill out an application in order to get all the communications to join us next year!

Ready to make a difference? Explore the many ways you can contribute and become part of the SR3 team.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

Animal Husbandry volunteers are key to our patients' recovery during their stay at SR3’s SeaLife Rescue Center in Des Moines, WA. Volunteers can expect to clean equipment and enclosures, prepare and deliver food to patients, and observe and occasionally assist with medical procedures. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in marine animal husbandry, wildlife veterinary care, or learning about marine species through direct observation.

MARINE MAMMAL STEWARDS

Marine Mammal Stewards is cooperatively run by SR3 and MaST Center Aquarium. These volunteers run all-ages activities on the beach to inspire change for a healthier ocean, largely in the marina and Redondo Beach areas of Des Moines. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in environmental education, and like talking to people.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

Education & Outreach volunteers will share SR3’s work from a booth during community events and festivals, talk about marine animals to members of the public, and communicate conservation actions that benefit marine wildlife. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in environmental education, like talking to people, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.

DIGITAL MEDIA

Digital Media volunteers expand SR3’s sphere of influence by collecting the images, sounds, and videos that we use to share our story with the world. Volunteers will collect media around the Rescue Center, during events, and at patient releases for use on SR3’s social media, newsletter, and print materials. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in photography and videography, have experience with editing visual and auditory assets, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.

LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS 

A sealife hospital contains a lot of moving parts - and the more a part moves, the more maintenance it needs. Life Support Systems volunteers help keep our physical infrastructure functioning so that the tents, enclosures, pipes, pumps, filters, and equipment all work to provide a healthy environment for the marine creatures in SR3’s care to recover. ✅ Great for volunteers who are looking to enter a career in life-sciences, are interested in engineering and construction, or like solving problems and working with their hands.

CONSTRUCTION

Construction volunteers ensure our patients have the space and safety to heal by improving our site with facility upgrades and additions. ✅ Great for volunteers who are interested in engineering and construction or like solving problems and working with their hands.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Administrative volunteers support SR3 through various projects and tasks at our facility in Des Moines. These volunteers cover our phone line, help with merchandise orders, fundraising, data collection and input, and other administrative projects. ✅ Great for volunteers who want to grow their non-profit management skills, or who can’t engage in heavy physical work.

Ready to take the next step?

Each volunteer role has specific commitments and shift minimums during our peak season (June - October). To help you find the best fit, complete position descriptions - including responsibilities, shift requirements, training timelines, benefits, and more - are available on Volunteer Impact. 

If you have questions, ideas, or just want to connect, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to Jesse Katz-Klug, our Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@sr3.org.

Naga Overcomes the Odds

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

Naga the harbor seal pup rests on a pillow in her personal enclosure during the first week of her care.

Naga, a harbor seal pup initially suffering from maternal separation and malnutrition, came to the Rescue Center on August 8th. Shortly into her time in care, we discovered that she also had a disorder called megaesophagus, where the esophagus dilates and loses its ability to move food from the mouth to the stomach. Naga was the fourth patient this summer to be diagnosed with this disorder. Luckily, two of the harbor seals prior to Naga were successfully treated and returned to the wild, and after several months of daily medications, Naga improved as well.

To diagnose this disorder we take x-rays of the patients. The enlarged esophagus is visible in the x-rays, and with successful treatment, we can see the esophagus shrink back to its normal size.

X-rays of Naga’s chest. A red arrow in the first two images points to her megaesophagus. It gets smaller in the middle image and her esophagus has returned to its normal size by the third.

Naga returns to the wild in Hood Canal, close to where she was rescued.

Since the Rescue Center opened in 2021, Naga holds the record for the patient we’ve had in care for the longest. But after 163 days of treatment, learning to feed herself, and gaining weight, she returned to the wild.

Naga was released with a satellite tracker glued to the fur on her back, so each time she floats at the surface of the water or rests on a shoreline, we receive information about her location. Since her release in mid-January, she has explored Hood Canal, Admiralty Inlet and central Puget Sound in Washington State. Stay tuned for more updates as we see where Naga goes from here!

A map of Naga’s locations in the Puget Sound for the month after her release. After data was collected for this map, she traveled to Seattle!

Another Successful Season in the Antarctic Peninsula

Aerial images of a social group of humpback whales (left) and a solitary Antarctic minke whale (right). Aerial images were collected non-invasively from > 100ft above the whales using remotely-controlled hexacopter drone. Research conducted under NMFS Permit # 22306 and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit ACA 20220-010.

The SR3 team recently completed a successful research season in the Antarctic Peninsula onboard the M/V National Geographic Explorer. This research extends a long-term study to assess the health and population status of top predators (killer whales) and health of top consumers (humpback and minke whales) in the rapidly-warming waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. The team was able to collect aerial photogrammetry and photo-identification images of 10 individual Type A killer whales, including a predation event on an adult male elephant seal. In addition to elephant seals, Type A killer whales are also known to prey on Antarctic minke whales. Many of these individuals were last seen in 2015, so this sighting provides important information for monitoring the survival and long-term trends in population status of this ecotype. Several new calves were documented and most individuals were observed to be in robust body condition- both good indicators that they have access to an adequate supply of prey. The team was also able to collect photo-identification images of two small groups of Type B1 and B2 killer whales and aerial photogrammetry images of 26 humpback whales, 10 Antarctic minke whales, and one Antarctic blue whale. Aerial images will be measured to estimate size, monitor growth and assess body condition of individual whales, while photo-identification images will be used to estimate and monitor trends in population abundance over time. A new addition to the project this year was the collection of humpback whale feces to describe gut microbiome. The team was able to collect and successfully extract and sequence DNA from two samples using remote sequencing technology. This research is funded by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund (LEX-NG Fund).

Aerial images of Type A killer whales during a predation event on an adult male elephant seal in the nearshore waters of the Antarctic Peninsula. Images show the attack on the elephant seal (left and top right) and whales carrying pieces of seal blubber post-kill (bottom right). Aerial images were collected non-invasively from > 100ft above the whales using remotely-controlled hexacopter drone. Research conducted under NMFS Permit # 22306 and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit ACA 20220-010.

SR3 Winter Salish Sea and Antarctic Research Update!

By Dr. Holly Fearnbach, Marine Mammal Research Director

The SR3 team has been busy collecting valuable winter data on the health of killer whales in the Salish Sea. A remotely controlled multi-copter drone has been used to non-invasively collect aerial images of all 33 members of L pod from the endangered Southern Resident killer whales and an estimated 20 Bigg’s transient killer whales. SR3 has been extremely successful in collecting year-round data on both populations in recent years and these aerial images will be analyzed to assess seasonal changes and reproductive status in both populations, as well as estimate length and monitor growth. The team will continue collecting comparative data on killer whale condition throughout the year, to help guide conservation measures to maintain adequate year-round prey availability. SR3’s Holly Fearnbach and Sadie Youngstrom, joined by Jessica Farrer from The Whale Museum, are currently in Antarctica onboard the M/V National Geographic Explorer where they will continue SR3’s long-term research on the health of whales in the rapidly changing ecosystem of the Antarctic Peninsula. This research is supported by the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund. More updates to come!

Top left: Photo of drone flight ops on SR3’s R/V Helen with Holly Fearnbach and Tess Chapman (SR3) and Jessica Farrer (The Whale Museum) during an encounter with Bigg’s transient killer whales in January 2025. Top right: Aerial image of members of L pod from the endangered population of Southern Resident killer whales in November 2024. Bottom left: Photo of Holly Fearnbach and Sadie Youngstrom (SR3) and Jessica Farrer (The Whale Museum) on a zodiac launched from the M/V National Geographic Explorer in the Antarctic Peninsula in February 2025. Bottom right: Jessica Farrer flying the drone out of the hands of Holly Fearnbach during an encounter with humpback whales in the Antarctic Peninsula in February 2025. Aerial images were collected non-invasively from > 100ft above the whales using a remotely-controlled hexacopter drone. Research conducted under NMFS Permit # 22306, DFO Research License XMMS 7 2023 and Antarctic Conservation Act Permit ACA 2017-029.

2025's First Patient

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

The Response Team guides the sea lion from the water line into a carrier.

Our first patient of the year was an adult California sea lion who stranded on a beach just north of the Rescue Center. Unfortunately, he did not survive, and a necropsy later confirmed that cancer had spread throughout his body.

The sea lion shortly after he arrived at the Rescue Center.

Urogenital cancer is a rising concern for California sea lions, and SR3 has observed it in previous patients as well. In California, The Marine Mammal Center found that around 20% of the adult California sea lions they necropsied in past decades had urogenital cancer.

The community truly came together to get this animal to the hospital, and we are grateful to everyone who called him in to local responders, lent hands to lift his carrier into our transport vehicle, and saved the marine mammal response number to their phones. The knowledge learned from this individual will continue to inform our understanding of California sea lions, as well as our practices to respond to and care for any in need.

A Seal Pup’s Journey Through Rehabilitation

By Gina Parker, Education and Outreach Intern

Mermaid at the beginning of her care at SR3.

Since the Rescue Center opened in 2021, SR3 has cared for over 150 harbor seals. Many of these animals were pups abandoned by their mothers before they could survive on their own, often due to human disturbance. Last summer, with the help of our local Stranding Network partner MaST Center Aquarium, SR3 rescued one such pup from the crowded Redondo Beach just hours after she was born. She was named Mermaid.

SR3 rescued Mermaid from busy Redondo Beach, where she was found just hours after birth without her mother.

When pups like Mermaid arrive at SR3, their time in rehabilitation can be described in three stages: tube feeding, fish school, and free feeding. In the first stage, SR3 mimics the milk they would receive from their mothers, creating a formula that consists of powdered milk substitute, water, and fish oil. Animal care staff want to ensure the seal pups stay as wild as possible and don’t get too accustomed to human interaction, so rather than bottle-feeding them, their formula is quickly fed to them through a tube passed through their mouth right into their stomach. They continue being fed like this four to five times a day until they are ready to move on to the next stage of development. In the wild, harbor seals nurse for 4-6 weeks before their mothers send them off to hunt for themselves.

Stage two is called fish school, where the curriculum is learning to eat whole fish. To understand more about this stage, we talked to one of SR3’s animal care staff, KC Scofield. KC explained that “fish school helps introduce our seals to what fish are.” The process is very personalized to each seal, which often starts with putting a fish in one of their daily swims to see how they react, and proceeding from there. Some seals figure it out very quickly, while others may need to be introduced to fish more slowly. “We try to meet our seals where they’re at and let them show us where they are in fish school initially,” said KC. “We will continue to transition one of their meals each day from formula to fish until they are fully feeding on fish.”

KC feeding Mermaid, first tube feeding her formula (upper photo) and then offering her a fish in shallow water several weeks later (lower photo).

This full-fish diet, which is the third and final stage, is called free feeding. In this stage, seal patients eat in a pool together to make sure they will be successful and ready to compete for fish in the wild when they are released. This is often where the seals will really start exercising the tools that help them hunt, such as controlling their buoyancy and using their eyes and whiskers to track. “Pinnipeds have whiskers called vibrissae,” explained KC, “and their vibrissae have an increased number of nerve endings in them. It’s essentially a sense of touch, so they can track the fish even at depths when there is no light.”

Mermaid hunting herring in her pool at SR3, with other seal patients in the background.

After these stages, when the patients have the skills and abilities they need to survive, animal care staff give them their release exam - a final medical exam that confirms they are healthy and can return to the ocean. SR3 rarely satellite tracks the seals, but their back flippers are tagged with a number so folks will be able to recognize them if they are spotted again in the wild.

If you spend time on the shores of the Pacific Northwest, and notice a malnourished, sick or injured seal, the best thing you can do is stay far away and call responders right away. Kindly remind others in the area to avoid the animal, and keep your pets on a leash. Mermaid got a second chance, learning to be an independent harbor seal at SR3, but it is always better to prevent their need for care in the first place, and keep moms and pups together in the wild.

Mermaid exploring the beach where she was released as she returned to the ocean, her permanent orange tag visible on her back flipper.

What to do if you find a porpoise on the beach

Did you know SR3 provides care for small cetaceans like harbor porpoises? If you find one stranded on the beach:

❌ Never push them back into the ocean

❌ Never approach the animal or let pets interact with them

❌ Never pour water on the animal or place anything on them

✅ Call trained responders right away to alert them to the situation

✅ Keep people and pets far away to minimize the animal’s stress and prevent injuries 

✅ Take photos and videos from a distance 

While they do breathe air, beached whales, dolphins and porpoises are likely suffering from illnesses or injuries that led to their stranding and they need immediate medical care. The best thing you can do to help is to call experts that can assess the situation and respond rapidly. 

SR3’s response line is 206-947-4253 and you can find your local responders in this map.

SR3 staff caring for a harbor porpoise that stranded in the Puget Sound in 2023. Read about that patient’s story here.

New Treatment Allows Seal Pups to Return to the Wild

By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator

Every summer, the calls of harbor seal pups emanate from the SR3 Rescue Center. From May to September, harbor seal mothers are giving birth out in the wild and nursing for 4-6 weeks. During that time, human disturbance can cause the mother to abandon her pup before the pup is ready to survive on their own. In cases like this, SR3 can help.

Griffin was our first patient of the 2024 pupping season, arriving at the Rescue Center on May 12th due to malnutrition, a sign of maternal abandonment. The beginning of his care was standard: electrolytes and harbor seal formula, an intake exam, medication on the site of his umbilical cord, and short swims.

Griffin at the beginning of his time at the Rescue Center, nestled into a pillow in his personal enclosure.

After a week of regular meals, animal care staff began to notice that something was wrong. Griffin was bloated, gassy, and hunching his abdomen - a sign of discomfort - and he had trouble swimming due to the extra gas in his body.

On June 3rd, he was given another examination, this time with x-rays as one of the added procedures, and the images that came back were not promising. Griffin had a condition called megaesophagus.

An x-ray of Griffin from June, with the red arrow pointing to his enlarged esophagus visible through his ribs and spine.

Megaesophagus is a disorder in which the esophagus (the tube between the mouth and the stomach) dilates and loses its ability to move food. This condition is not well-studied in seals, and its cause in these animals remains unclear. Symptoms include regurgitation, bloating, and sometimes secondary aspiration pneumonia. For domesticated dogs, there is a specialized chair to sit in after a feed that keeps the esophagus vertical, which helps gravity push the food down past the enlarged esophagus and into the stomach. This mechanism is something we have used with seal patients, but it is not a long-term solution. Historically, seals with megaesophagus would not be able to survive in the wild, nor be a candidate for relocation to a zoo or aquarium, and SR3 humanely euthanized them due to a lack of treatment options.

At the time of Griffin’s diagnosis, SR3’s veterinarian Dr. Michelle Rivard was at the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine conference in Ireland, listening to a presentation by our colleagues at Vancouver Marine Mammal Rescue Society about the successful treatment of two harbor seals with megaesophagus. Seeing the potential to contribute to this new study and rehabilitate a patient, SR3 began Griffin’s treatment: Viagra twice a day to loosen the muscles at the base of his esophagus so food could pass more easily into his stomach.

An x-ray of Griffin from October, with the red arrow pointing to his resolved esophagus.

For three months, along with the Viagra, Griffin was on a course of medication to help his bloating. "We saw improvement in Griffin's regurgitation and overall condition within a few weeks of starting medications, though he remained significantly bloated for about a month,” said SR3 veterinarian Dr. Michelle Rivard. By the end of July, he finally began to gain weight and was able to dive down to the bottom of his pool - though the gas in his system still prevented him from staying at the bottom for longer periods of time. 

“Fortunately, with continued supportive care, Griffin's bloating resolved and he was able to swim and forage like a normal seal," said Michelle. At the beginning of October, when he reached his release weight of 50 pounds, he was imaged a second time, and it was confirmed that Griffin’s esophagus had returned to a normal size.

After 152 days at the Rescue Center, Griffin had recovered from malnutrition, maternal separation, and a condition that once would have made it impossible for him to recover at SR3 and return to the ocean. Overcoming every challenge, he now swims wild and free.

Griffin’s first moments back in the ocean after his time at the Rescue Center.

A map of Griffin’s locations from his release on October 11th to when the data was last downloaded on November 5th. Since the 5th, we have continued to get updates on his location.

Griffin was outfitted with a satellite tag to track his movements after release, and we’ve been getting updates on his location along the Washington outer coast for the past month.

Griffin is one of three patients with megaesophagus that we have treated this year. Elf, a harbor seal pup who came to the Rescue Center in June, also had this condition. With medication, Elf’s megaesophagus resolved, and he was outfitted with a satellite tag and released to the wild on October 9th in Bellingham Bay. We are continuously getting updates on his location around his release site and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Naga, a pup who arrived in August, is still receiving treatment at the Rescue Center.

Studies like this ensure we’re continuing to improve care for the patients that come to SR3, along with patients at other organizations across the country, the continent, and the world. Not only is this story a success for Griffin, who got a second chance in the wild, but it is a success for the marine mammal rehabilitation community and for all the future patients we will be able to help.