Today, I drove down to a satellite center of the MMC, called Monterey Bay Operations, or MBO. This is 
the triage station where most of the calls reporting an injured or stranded marine mammal are taken. Basically, it’s where the story starts. When a call comes in, Sue, the field manager, gathers as much information as possible. Volunteers are then sent out to investigate, by boat if necessary, and potentially bring back the animal.
Last Thursday, a call came in reporting a sea lion that had been stranded on a beach in
Monterey. Deborah was one of four volunteers who responded that day. Rounding up a huge wild animal from the beach is not such an easy feat. During the rescue, Deborah was bitten on the elbow. She had to have a couple stitches, but it could have been a lot worse. One of the major risks of being bitten is contracting zoonoses, pronounced “zoo-e-no-seas.” Zoonoses are contagious diseases that humans can contract from animals. I find this stuff pretty scary. A particularly nasty one, that is not uncommon, is called seal finger. This is a painful bacterial infection that results in swelling and potential permanent disabling of the affected area. In the past, they used to amputate the affected finger! Now, an antibiotic is used.
It's been a week since Deborah was bitten, and you’ll be happy to know she is healing up nicely and still has all her digits! She named the sea lion “Vienna”, since she’ll be traveling there soon. There must be animals that need rescuing in Vienna. Don’t you think Dawn should send me there?
Posted by Christy Buckley on Oct 19, 2006
Comments
I think its great that despite the dangers of getting bitten, the people at the MBO keep helping these animals. At least now Deborah can tell the people of Vienna that she got bit by a lion. keep up the good work Christy, this is facinating stuff.
Posted by:
TK | Oct 19, 2006 1:04:07 PM
Comments
In the 70s I was in the U.S. Coast Guard. We had huge problems dealing with the animals covered with oil. When Dawn was released it was the answer to our prayers. It was not only safe for the birds but it was safe for the voulenteers. I have worked on spills from as small as a few quarts. To the huge mega spills like the Esso Brussels. It is so sad to be working a beach clean-up and come across a bird that has died due to the oil spill. I have had to deal with whales on the beach because a tanker pumped its bilges when they left port. Keep up the good work.
Bluto51@hotmail.com
Posted by:
Tim Abeyta | Nov 2, 2006 11:05:09 PM