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Featured
Article
Pacific Marine Mammal Center-
rescuing sick and injured marine mammals since
1971!
Article
provided by Pacific
Marine Mammal Center
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Just
off the 133 on your way into Laguna Beach sits
an old red barn that houses anything but the expected
domestic farm animal. What you will hear instead
of a traditional "moo" or "oink" is the unforgettable
bark of a California sea lion, or even the distinctive
bawl of a Northern elephant seal. This unique
place called the Pacific Marine Mammal Center
is a non-profit rescue and rehabilitation facility
for sick and injured marine mammals. The organization
takes care of seals and sea lions until they are
well enough to be released back home into the
ocean, and aims to increase public awareness of
the marine environment through educational programs
and research. This center, which has been at the
forefront of marine mammal care since 1971, offers
a unique chance for visitors to see up close some
of its current patients and learn about how these
animals came to be in their care. PMMC is open
everyday to the public for free, from 10AM- 4PM.
Because Pacific Marine Mammal Center is the
ONLY center in Orange County licensed to rescue
and care for wild marine mammals, they often have
a large patient load. Currently PMMC treats over
250 animals a year that are in need of medical
attention.
Not
only does PMMC offer a unique opportunity to see
wild marine mammals up close, they also have an
abundance of educational programs to teach children
and members of the public about these magnificent
animals. The programs offered range from badge
programs for Girl Scout and Brownie troops to
school field trips where students will receive
a tour of the facility and a slide show presentation
of PMMC's typical patients. In the summer, PMMC
offers the extremely popular "Camp Pinniped" which
consists of 7 week-long sessions for children
ages 8-12 to learn about marine mammals. Each
day covers a new topic, and the session ends with
a visit to a local beach. To learn more please
visit www.pacificmmc.org
Stop
by Pacific Marine Mammal Center today to see some
of their current patients and learn about what
you can do to help them!
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