By Kate Hruby, Communication and Education Coordinator
Dozens of harbor seals rest on a kelp-covered rock in the ocean.
Humans depend on the ocean for the air we breathe, for weather and climate, for food, for recreation, and so much more. This dependency means that if the ocean is unhealthy, then we are likely to become so as well. But often, humans are not the first ones to show the warning signs of an issue in the marine environment - instead, that warning will come from the animals that reside in it. By studying these animals, the seals and whales, the turtles and otters, we can understand more about the state of the sea.
Pet Waste, Parasites, and Bacteria
Marine mammals and humans coexist around the world - but where humans are, our pets are as well. And so is our pet waste, which can cause detrimental side effects for marine mammal populations.
Toxoplasma is a parasite that can transfer to marine mammals from cat poop when it washes into the ocean or is flushed down the toilet, and has had fatal effects on sea otters, seals, and whales around the world. While some parasites are a natural part of the marine environment, they can also overwhelm an animal if their immune system is compromised, like in the case of SR3’s second patient of the year.
Animal care staff spreading antibiotic gel on the umbilical cord of a harbor seal pup.
At the SR3 Rescue Center, harbor seal pups are the most common patient to come through our doors, and many of them are facing issues that are from, or exacerbated by, water quality including infections, parasites, and other illnesses. Pups, like humans, have an umbilical cord when they’re born. This is an open wound that is susceptible to bacterial infection until it dries up and falls off naturally - the more bacteria there is in the water (yes, from your poop as well) the harder it is to keep this, or any, wound free of infection.
This is one of the reasons why the water used in the Rescue Center’s pools goes through a powerful filtration system. Because our patient’s health is already compromised, we want to ensure they have a clean environment. As John McCoy, our Life Support Systems Technician explains, “we deal with animals who are already sick or injured. Providing an environment free of bacteria and viruses will allow their bodies to heal without the possibility of introducing a new illness.”
John records water quality data from one of our pool filtration systems at the Rescue Center.
Harmful Algal Blooms
SR3 staff in California - Sydney, Animal Husbandry Technician, prepping for a sea lion feed, along with Sydney and Dr. Michelle Rivard, a past SR3 veterinarian who is now Marine Mammal Care Center’s Director of Animal Health & Conservation, on the beach for a patient release.
Like parasites, algae is a natural part of the ocean, but too much of a good thing can sometimes tip an environment into trouble. In the past several years, California has seen large toxic algae blooms produce a chemical called domoic acid, which makes its way into the food chain and leads to neurological issues in marine mammals. These blooms and their effects are impacting populations of marine wildlife, and human-caused issues like climate change or nutrient runoff from fertilizers and sewage can make it more likely for these blooms to occur.
In years with particularly intense blooms, like this year, our animal care staff travels down to help marine mammal rehabilitation centers in California as they get an influx of domoic acid patients. This partnership, made possible because of our community supporters, provides critical support during this emergency and also ensures we’re ready for events like this if climate change causes them to occur in Washington waters.
How can you help?
As John says of the Rescue Center, “it's up to us to create a clean and safe environment for animals to heal, allowing them the best opportunity to return to the wild.” And this sentiment applies to global waters as well - we’re the ones that can ensure the ocean is healthy for everyone who lives in it and depends on it. Here are a few small things you can do that can make a difference:
Pick up your pet poo and dispose of it properly. Find out more about poo-lution at zeropoo.com
Adopt a storm drain to help keep trash, oil, and debris out of our waterways.
Keep your pets on a leash. Diseases can transfer between our furry friends and our local wildlife. Keep both parties safe by leashing your pets along beaches and shorelines.
Pump up your tires. As your vehicle tires wear down, they release a toxin into nearby streams. By keeping your tires inflated, you prolong the life of the tires and reduce the amount of toxins that will enter the environment.
Support marine wildlife. Help care for animals impacted by human activities by donating today.
