Sea savior

Suzie Harrison

It only takes one visit to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center to get

hooked. When looking into the eyes of any of the rescued patients,

the addiction starts immediately.

California sea lion pup, Tommy, who was rescued on June 14, is one

such patient. His mother left him within hours of giving birth. He

was sitting in icy cold water alone when he was found at Moss Point

Beach and rushed to the center with hypothermia. Tommy weighed in at

a mere 15 pounds. He is now up to 37 pounds, and has been using his

pool to learn to swim on his own. He spends his time playing and

chasing fish.

To help Tommy and their other patients, the Pacific Marine Mammal

Center will have its third annual Sunset Sea Lion Cruise on Thursday

aboard the Phoenix, which is docked at the Balboa Fun Zone.

“This is one of my favorite events we do, it’s a chance for all of

our supporters to get together and be on the water,” director of

development and marketing Emily Wing said. “Because we do the harbor

cruise, it’s also an opportunity to see the healthy sea lions in

their natural environment and to celebrate what we do.

“The money goes toward our general operating expenses, which is

especially important since over the past three years our patient load

has more than quadrupled.”

Each year the rescue facility treats up to 250 marine mammals.

A lot of the day-to-day expenses have increased, in addition to

the increase in patients. All proceeds go toward funding the

life-saving efforts of the center, including medicine, food, supplies

and other necessities.

“The fundraisers are really important to us now more than ever,”

Wing said.

There’s a high demand to meet the costs for patient care. The

marine mammal center rescues, medically treats and rehabilitates sea

lions, seals, dolphins and whales that wash up along the Orange

County coastline due to injury or illness.

Center workers see harbor seals who have been shot, females

suffering from domoic acid poisoning and stranded sea lion pups.

Animal care supervisor and education coordinator Kirsten Sedlick

said the event also raises money for the important animal care and

education programs.

One example is the Kids Club education program for children ages 8

to 12, which will start Sept. 24.

Each month the kids get to learn a new topic, and then get to

watch the animal care duties and rescue efforts when an animal

arrives at the center.

“I’m so excited,” Sedlick said. “It’s really nice to see them

learn, do experiments, dissections and arts and crafts, games and

activities.”

The Orange County Parrot Head Club hosts the cruise with the

marine mammal center being a major charity it supports in the area.

“Everybody always has a good time, it’s a fun, relaxed

atmosphere,” Wing said. “[We have] great live music, dancing under

the stars and we usually get a sunset [weather permitting].”

The sunset cruise fundraiser will include hors d’oeuvres,

cocktails a silent auction and opportunity drawings. Tickets are $20

per person, and space is limited. Boarding will begin at 5:30 p.m.

and the cruise will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Contact Wing at (949)

494-3050 for tickets and donations.