"Dr. Whizzepuff Explains Climate Change

Never Touch a Seal

NEVER, EVER, DO THIS.  

The young person who picked this harbor seal up said that this pup was in danger of being run over.  Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't.  But now that pup is definitely in high danger of dying.  

Why?  Harbor seal mothers can temporarily leave their pups on the rocks or on a beach.  Or the pup might have lost its way while its mother fed during high-tide. There could be many reasons why it is on the beach.

But it is illegal to handle a marine mammal, and it is dangerous.  Call a grown up and have them call a marine mammal rescue center right away.

Harbor seals give birth to their pups in the spring.  

Here is what the experts at the National Marine Mammal Laboratory have to say about harbor seal pups:   "Harbor seals inhabit areas that are also frequented by humans and are easily disturbed. When disturbed the mothers sometimes abandon their pups. Do not try to approach them, the mothers will be back soon to take care of them."

Divers Free Whale From Fishing Line

Last week, divers near the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Maui  discovered a humpback whale caught in fishing rope.

Rope & Buoys on Humpback Whale Tail

It took several efforts to remove more  than 200 feet (61 m) of line and two buoys from around the whale.

Fishing Rope Caught on Humpback Whale

These gentle giants swim 3,000 miles from Alaska to the warmer waters of Hawaii in the winter.  They rest and give birth to their calves--usually from January thru April.



Photos and story courtesy of NOAA.

Entangled Sea Lions Rescued

Here's that big word again: Entanglement.  This time we can change the word to: Disentangled--or rescued.

Two sea lions near Monterey, Ca. took a dive in the salty water, maybe hunting for food, and were caught  (entangled) in fishing line that wrapped around each sea lion's neck and head.  Ouch! 

A special team of rescuers from the Marine Mammal Center near San Francisco, including a specialty veterinarian, found each of the entangled sea lions, and made a daring rescue.

  

Both sea lions had the fishing line successfully removed.  

Remember when you go fishing, even in your local lake, stream or river, to dispose of old fishing line in a proper way.  Many popular fishing locations have tubes to collect and recycle your fishing lines.  The sea lions will thank you!

Dolphin Ask Divers For Help

This video is kind of long, but it is an amazing video because:

1) The manta rays are gorgeous;
2) The dolphin asks for the attention of the divers;
3) The divers discover that the dolphin  needs help.  It is entangled with fishing line.  (Fishing line that someone might have carelessly thrown into the ocean.);
4) How the divers and the dolphin work together to cut and remove the fishing line from the dolphin's fin.

Fishing line tossed into creeks, rivers, lakes and oceans is dangerous to the creatures that live there.  Birds also get entangled with fishing line. Fishhooks are also dangerous, as seen in the video above.

When you go fishing watch for a fishing line recycling container like the one pictured here.  

This way you will be a friend of fish, mammals, sea turtles, and birds.

What should you do if you see a marine mammal or sea turtle entangled?

• Keep your distance.  Injured, sick or entangled animals can be unpredictable and dangerous.

• Please call the NOAA Marine Mammal Hotline: 1-888-256-9840. 

  
What are your thoughts about this video?  You can comment below.