Plight of Seals, Sea Lions Stirs Public Outcry

Phone calls from across the country poured in to California’s mammal rescue centers Monday from people alarmed that thousands of northern fur seals and California sea lions are dying on San Miguel Island.

“We got 40 or 50 calls this morning,” said Ann Bull, director of the Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. “People are outraged. . . . A lot of them want to write their congressman to change the laws so they can go out to the islands.”

Since the summer, about 6,000 fur seals and sea lions have died on San Miguel Island, 50 miles off the Ventura coast, because, scientists say, El Nino’s oceanic warming has driven away their food supply.

Although volunteers are poised on the coast to rescue the starving mammals, federal law forbids taking the animals from San Miguel and the other islands where they breed.

Scientists have been monitoring the death toll on San Miguel Island because it is the largest rookery of sea lions and seals south of Alaska, but are taking no steps to save the dying mammals.

In a story and photograph Monday, The Times documented how pups are starving this year because of El Nino conditions, which have resulted in warmer waters.

As the adult females dive into deeper, colder waters in search of anchovies, they use up the blubber needed for lactation.

Although adult females seem to be surviving, their pups are not getting enough milk. Scientists from the National Marine Fisheries Service say that 75% of the pups could die by next summer.

By law, rescue groups cannot go to San Miguel and other islands, for fear that rescuers might disturb the habitat and remove pups from their mothers.

What’s more, only licensed groups can rescue mammals washed up along California’s coastline.

Advocates say that even if the law were changed, it might not be wise--or financially feasible--to take the animals from the islands.

“I don’t know if that would be possible,” Bull said. “It would be too expensive. If we could restock the Pacific, that would be different.”

“It’s great that people are showing an interest in marine wildlife,” said Peter Howorth, director of the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center, whose rescue group also received calls Monday. “But saving them all, that’s playing God. There are a certain number of animals that should die.”

Although seeing the emaciated sea lions and fur seals can be wrenching, researchers say the mortality is part of natural selection.

“I’m neither sad nor glad that people are calling to help,” said Joe Cordaro, a scientist for the National Marine Fisheries Service in Long Beach, the agency that hands out permits to rescue beached seals and sea lions. “As a biologist, I wonder if we’re doing the right thing. Basically, we’re rehabbing for the public. A person feels much better when they’re helping out an animal, regardless if the final result is positive or negative. These [mammals] are genetically inferior. What makes you think that when you send them back in the ocean, it won’t happen a second time?”

He quickly added, however, “But we do recognize that Congress has endorsed rehabilitation, and we support that.”

Overall, the populations of both mammal groups have been steadily increasing. Scientists believe there are about 1 million northern fur seals in U.S. waters and 11,000 on San Miguel Island. Estimates range from 85,000 to 180,000 for the number of California sea lions there.

In addition, seals and sea lions are breeding on other islands from San Francisco to San Diego.

Rescue groups suggest that interested people donate time or money to the nonprofit organizations.

Other advocates say people should expand their horizons and learn what else needs rescuing during this year’s environmental upheaval caused by El Nino.

“When [sea lions] are on the beach, I say go for it,” said Ed Cassano, manager of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, which shares jurisdiction over San Miguel Island with the National Park Service. “But don’t limit yourself to the marine mammal centers. Why not the bird centers too? We’re here to raise awareness about the entire ecosystem.”

Cassano’s Santa Barbara-based group believes strongly that the Channel Islands, including the surrounding waters, should remain a sanctuary for all types of plants and animals. The organization establishes rules to protect the sea lions and seals that live there.

“The islands are the last vestige where these mammals are undisturbed,” Cassano said.

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Tips on Stranded Animals

If a stranded sea lion or seal is found on the beach, several mammal rescue organizations offer these tips:

* Leave the animal alone, because it can carry diseases or bite.

* Don’t rush the sea lion or seal to water; that will chill it.

* Keep pets away.

* Don’t feed the animal or take it home to put in the bathtub.

* Call a nonprofit marine mammal rescue organization. These groups also welcome donations and volunteers:

Sea World in San Diego

Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center

Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach

Fort McArthur Marine Mammal Care in San Pedro

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito

Northcoast Marine Mammal Center in Crescent City