One patient at the MMC, an elephant seal, has an interesting and scary story. She was the victim of a shark attack! It was probably a great white shark. Great white sharks stalk their prey from below and 
strike with a swift surprise attack. They inflict a large, potentially fatal, bite to the poor seal. The seal often dies from massive trauma or blood loss. However, if the shark doesn't bite any vital areas or if the bite is shallow, the lucky ones can sometimes escape. This is probably what happened to our patient. She was very lucky to have survived. If the MMC hadn’t rescued her, she probably would have died on the beach. After seeing the elephant seal post recovery, it's hard to imagine her being so brutally attacked. They are so cute and curious. Everytime I walked by her pen, she would watch me by turning her neck all the way around to see what I was up to.
Great whites and Orcas, or killer whales, actively feed on elephant
seals, California sea lions, Steller sea lions and harbor seals in coastal waters along central California. They are especially common around the Farallon Islands (off the coast of San Francisco), Año Nuevo State Reserve, and the Marin Headlands. Consequently, this is right around the area where the MMC, and the surfing beach, are located! In my opinion, an area so densely populated with the animals on which these great predators feed, seems like the last place I would want to go surfing! I’ve seen those pictures of what the surfboard looks like from 20 feet below the water…it looks like a seal!
Posted by Christy Buckley on Oct 16, 2006
Comments
Looks like a once in a lifetime experience...amazing how many different things you're seeing. Have a great time!
Posted by:
Tommy Sitley | Oct 16, 2006 2:24:32 PM