tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63220464627863956912024-03-05T05:55:26.419-08:00Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network BlogThe Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network is blogging about marine mammal strandings in Whatcom County, Washington.Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-14112100168143384632011-10-27T05:59:00.000-07:002011-10-27T06:00:16.353-07:00WMMSN and The Cove<span style="font-size: small;">Have you seen or heard of the 2010 Academy Award winner The Cove? It's about little coastal town in Japan called Taiji, and their dirty little secret: mass dolphin slaughter.<br /><br />Well, that's the simplified version. It's actually a really complex issue complete with government coverups, serious health issues, dolphinariums, and captive dolphin issues. It's an amazing movie and I urge each and every one of you to watch it. Do not shy away from it simply because of the slaughter aspect, you can easily cover your eyes for the short clips, but the movie will open your eyes to so much you never knew. It will also, hopefully, inspire you to become active in helping to end the dolphins slaughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">That's what it did for me. And now I'm writing to you from my hotel in Japan, just minutes away from the infamous cove. I have traveled here as a volunteer for Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project, Save Japan Dolphins, to help document and share this slaughter with the world. <br /><br />Please follow along with my blog, which I will be updating daily. And please, if you haven't already, watch The Cove! It will change your life. Besides, if I can be here to witness it in person, surely you all can watch the movie and hide your face behind a pillow every now and then. :)<br /><br />Blog: http://myporpoisedrivenlife.blogspot.com/</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For the Dolphins!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Heather Hill</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Education Director<br />WMMSN</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-73486903303716037592011-10-18T17:04:00.000-07:002011-10-18T17:17:49.916-07:00'The Honeysuckle Story' to Play at Film Festival!<span style="font-size: small;">We are excited to announce that the WMMSN's own documentary 'The Honeysuckle Story' has been accepted into the Film Festival at the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference held later this month in Vancouver, Canada! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">"The festival will showcase the best and most recent films, videos and
multi-media presentations about regional habitats and inhabitants of the
Salish Sea." ~www.salishseaconference.org</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">What an honor! If you haven't seen 'The Honeysuckle Story' yet, check it out!</span> <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/WbaY2G1Jomk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-76786766870012339342011-10-07T22:17:00.000-07:002011-10-07T22:19:08.690-07:00The Whale comes to Bellingham!<span style="font-size: small;">Have you heard the story of Luna (L98)?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Luna was a member of our Southern Resident Killer Whale Community, born to Splash (L67) in 1999. As a resident killer whale, Luna would have, and should have, spent his entire life in the company of his family. Resident killer whales have the tightest social bonds on Earth, never leaving their mother, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, great grandmothers, etc. But this was not the case for Luna. Somehow, one day, Luna became separated from his family. He was less than 2 years old. This is the true story of his life, all the friendship he made, and all lives he changed during his short time on our planet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/FdGe2_belbU/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FdGe2_belbU&fs=1&source=uds" />
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<span style="font-size: small;">'The Whale' is a remake of the amazing film 'Saving Luna', done by Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit, this time with a little help from the new narrator, Ryan Renolds. It is currently playing in Bellingham at the Pickford Limelight on Cornwall Ave, through October 13th. Gather your friends and family to see this wonderful film about an amazing little whale. This is a must-see! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For showtimes and locations visit www.thewhalemovie.com/</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-45294356112573318742011-10-06T23:43:00.000-07:002011-10-06T23:45:23.590-07:00Squalicum Beach Seal Rescue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoR0FJuCCWuVXtY5RAxqJ6BbtLnC7nA7_JLW-Z12e8uL0AiYezjV5a9HMvDvx-OV_6nd93cEvLZr-8D51AMNjYY1BCXqFrgTuvvcP0IDnsHQ1v4gIxLNO2lRlqaGktNO_ABWZa46kjlGT/s1600/seal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoR0FJuCCWuVXtY5RAxqJ6BbtLnC7nA7_JLW-Z12e8uL0AiYezjV5a9HMvDvx-OV_6nd93cEvLZr-8D51AMNjYY1BCXqFrgTuvvcP0IDnsHQ1v4gIxLNO2lRlqaGktNO_ABWZa46kjlGT/s320/seal2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q-QK5MkLu8FArMztxNApxpB5y1jeJ_HQWrftDGOWk4ABNagRNQ2tuHur_UqRNXu8P08CZ4DF-2pguumYp9PXZ9JATeK85rL665lbOx264d2muIqEqb1F6tLuLCDPeX0M7w39o1bC-jil/s1600/seal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9q-QK5MkLu8FArMztxNApxpB5y1jeJ_HQWrftDGOWk4ABNagRNQ2tuHur_UqRNXu8P08CZ4DF-2pguumYp9PXZ9JATeK85rL665lbOx264d2muIqEqb1F6tLuLCDPeX0M7w39o1bC-jil/s320/seal1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Today we received a call about a harbor seal at Squalicum Beach with injuries to its head. WMMSN responders arrived on scene to find that this seal not only had head injuries, but also appeared to be pinned in the water between rocks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Given the small size of the seal (about 2.5 feet in length) we determined it was under a year in age, probably weaned only a month or so ago. When I first spotted the seal, it was hard to tell whether or not it was even alive. Given the predicament it was in, it wouldn't have been hard to imagine it had died. The waves washed in and out, but the seal did not move. It was an utterly heartbreaking sight. Then, it let out a few wheezing coughs, and the rest of the WMMSN responders arrived. It was time to get to work saving this seal! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We moved as many rocks as we could, but the seal still appeared pinned in place. We were all tempted to just grab it under its flipper pits and try to gently lift it out of there, but despite its injuries, this seal was quite alert and growling up a storm. We were definitely looking at the business end of those chompers! With a little bit of creative thinking, we were able to manipulate a net into a harness around its midsection. One responder lifted another rock, the seal started to scamper out of its hole, and with the net we were able to coax it into a pet carrier. Finally, it was ready for transport!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Next came the ordeal of HOW to transport it. San Juan Airlines is very generous, and allows us to put seal pups on their plane bound for San Juan Island, home of Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, free of charge. Unfortunately for us though, the last flight of the day had already gone out. Two of our responders volunteered to drive the seal down to Anacortes, and escort it on the ferry, as Wolf Hollow volunteers were waited on the other side to receive it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Our mission was a success. We were able to rescue and safely transport the seal to the rehab center, but it's not out of the woods yet. Now it is up to Wolf Hollow volunteers to nurse this little one back to health. Let's hope this little harbor seal has the strength and will to live, and will pull through and be released back into the wild! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Stay tuned for more updates about this little seal, as well as our soon-to-be-released rescued pups from this summer!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-77885116043985760652011-05-28T10:12:00.000-07:002011-05-28T10:14:55.522-07:00Ski to Sea Fun!<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Have some free time this Memorial Day Weekend? </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Come out and say hi to us at our Ski to Sea booth! We will be located on the Fairhaven Green behind the Colophon Cafe, from 9am to 8pm on Sunday, May 29th. Our booth will be stocked full of whale bones, informative handouts, and of course, your friendly WMMSN volunteers! Learn more about the marine mammals of Whatcom County, sign up to volunteer, or donate to our cause. See you then!</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-77083440440802297892011-03-21T13:31:00.000-07:002011-03-23T11:53:55.559-07:00Wings Over Water<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all had a great time at Wings Over Water educating others about our wings under water! The biggest hit was by far our 'hands on' exhibit made up of a stuffed northern fur seal and harbor seal, a killer whale tooth, whale lice, skulls from a Steller sea lion, harbor seal, and northern fur seal, and various bones from an adult gray whale. Thanks to all those who came out to see us, and for those that couldn't make it, take a look at our pictures! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK6YZdxNoOmOuTHRqsYJzqytioVBNr2r4SzQhpXnDaIBNO199sFG4RAkuAWzcc306_XRUR0tb90UWZ7gscHOVIIvYVjjVTVTsqBqKEbaOrDgTuZ5S4LXqDRfBxwhXwVyqvpzBAvbKvx09/s1600/wow4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK6YZdxNoOmOuTHRqsYJzqytioVBNr2r4SzQhpXnDaIBNO199sFG4RAkuAWzcc306_XRUR0tb90UWZ7gscHOVIIvYVjjVTVTsqBqKEbaOrDgTuZ5S4LXqDRfBxwhXwVyqvpzBAvbKvx09/s400/wow4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-59167081603751785822011-03-21T12:39:00.000-07:002011-03-30T10:25:33.797-07:00'Bag it Bellingham'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4140eIujm3gOAA5caW5nd03nkaThKYEFzrHNT-flTB5fGnrocx8hFv7msRU2-hFLsvvbeGrHFNgltrzMO3f9-8HF7jwz9IwQACqHw7qAB68eY1k0WrH_DWyNcYBFEFCJTALO4BMXq8vrV/s1600/plastic+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4140eIujm3gOAA5caW5nd03nkaThKYEFzrHNT-flTB5fGnrocx8hFv7msRU2-hFLsvvbeGrHFNgltrzMO3f9-8HF7jwz9IwQACqHw7qAB68eY1k0WrH_DWyNcYBFEFCJTALO4BMXq8vrV/s320/plastic+pic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A spinner dolphin with an abandoned plastic bag wrapped around <br />
it's torso, dangerously close to covering it's blowhole. <br />
Photo courtesy of the Wild Dolphin Foundation</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Local citizens concerned with the environment have started an effort to ban one time use plastic bags from Bellingham stores, and implement a 5 cent fee on paper bags. This will greatly reduce our plastic waste and encourage members of the community to use reusable bags. Approximately 100,000 marine animals are killed every year by plastic debris that has either been blown or carelessly tossed into our waterways. This spans all ocean creatures including whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, birds, turtles, sharks, etc., etc. Please join us on Monday, March 28th at 7pm at the Bellingham City Council Meeting and take a stand against plastic!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Council Chambers, City Hall</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">210 Lottie Street</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bellingham, WA 98225</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For more information visit: http://www.bagitbellingham.blogspot.com/</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-75952433767493920832011-03-18T12:54:00.000-07:002011-03-18T12:55:15.788-07:00WMMSN @ Wings Over Water<span style="font-size: small;">Tomorrow is the annual Wings Over Water Festival in Blaine, and the WMMSN will be there to teach everyone all about the wings UNDER water! Stop by our booth and get the rare change to hold a killer whale tooth, pet a soft seal pelt, see the gigantic skull of a Steller sea lion and marvel at the enormous vertebrae of a gray whale! We'll have a face painting table and coloring station for kids (and those young at heart) and some faux blubber and arctic water to see just how our marine mammals stay insulated in their freezing environment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We also have brand new whale and dolphin & porpoise t-shirts that will be for sale, a 'guess how many shells are in the jar to win a seal print' game, and we'll be debuting an awesome mini documentary of the rescue, rehab and release of one lucky seal pup name Honeysuckle!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So come say hi, and learn all about the marine mammals of the Salish Sea; our wings under water!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Details and Directions:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">http://www.blainechamber.com/wow/ </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-60621958596459849632011-02-22T17:05:00.000-08:002011-02-22T17:26:25.173-08:00J1 Ruffles Officially Missing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOVsMtxe1n3STy_BKi9wZefCGpm16TqV46feK5E1c90QvPROn3f2o7PDkZEGsiUkzxHhzISDZ3CYjVaSK58JccUlzumhxAD6djfXGKZiiTUAXTRCou3Tqjep4Y_RHBkpFpWLbp3CscWNQ/s1600/J1%252C2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOVsMtxe1n3STy_BKi9wZefCGpm16TqV46feK5E1c90QvPROn3f2o7PDkZEGsiUkzxHhzISDZ3CYjVaSK58JccUlzumhxAD6djfXGKZiiTUAXTRCou3Tqjep4Y_RHBkpFpWLbp3CscWNQ/s320/J1%252C2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> J1 Ruffles swimming alongside J2 Granny</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Sandy Buckley </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;">After several recent encounters with J pod the Center for Whale Research, charged with keeping the Southern Resident Killer Whale population census, has officially listed J1 aka Ruffles as missing. The last time he was photographed was on November 21st, causing concern that he may not have survived the winter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Ruffles was the first Southern Resident to receive a photo-identification letter (J, meaning he is a member of J pod) and number (1, the first J pod whale to be documented). His name is an attribute to his immediately recognizable dorsal fin; tall and wavy like a Ruffles potato chip.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Born in 1951 (est.) Ruffles is the oldest and most recognizable male of this endangered orca community. His closest companion is J2 Granny, a 100 year old female who is believed to be his mother. The two were often seen traveling together. Granny, along with almost all other J pod whales have been photographed back in the Salish Sea in 2011, but the absence of the massive dorsal fin normally alongside of Granny has been hard to ignore. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Ruffles has many offspring from K, L, and even his own J pod. Preliminary paternity testing suggests that he is the most active male breeder, and has fathered more calves than any other male in the community. Perhaps the females of his community chose to mate with him time and time again because of his mature age and massive size, an indicator of 'good genes'. Or maybe it had to do with another reason entirely, a reason we humans may never understand. What is known however, is how much he will be missed if he is truly gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Within the next few months the entire community will likely return to the Salish Sea, and the whales unaccounted for will be declared 'missing and presumed dead' by the Center for Whale Research. Until then all we can do is hope that Ruffles is out there somewhere, alive and well, and finding plentiful schools of salmon. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-81844885458314783952011-02-11T14:33:00.000-08:002011-02-11T14:41:06.019-08:00Sighting of Our Local L Pod in Monterey Bay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhVsQOClqPvzOMjAHmBo47-P5kXNjxnUWUaFkfi5aiZzLxCDuwiF05zP-07SHQGj6UTHga7ozYlN93kPxgHQkXa5R2vpGn8RXiBeNjhjHLF-pLbStkF9enMRW6F4i5XpbIe-5YE2yyP_j/s1600/kw1NB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhVsQOClqPvzOMjAHmBo47-P5kXNjxnUWUaFkfi5aiZzLxCDuwiF05zP-07SHQGj6UTHga7ozYlN93kPxgHQkXa5R2vpGn8RXiBeNjhjHLF-pLbStkF9enMRW6F4i5XpbIe-5YE2yyP_j/s400/kw1NB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Southern Resident Killer Whales in Monterey Bay, Jan. 27th 2008</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Nancy Black</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">About 10,000 years ago the Vashon Glacier that covered our area was melting and retreating, exposing the deep channels it had carved. The water from the Pacific Ocean flooded in and created the inland sea now known as the Salish Sea. These waters became thick with salmon, and a group of killer whales living on the outer coast followed the salmon runs in and made a new home in the Salish Sea. Three pods made up this killer whale community; J, K, and L pod. Together they lived, played, and feasted almost year round in the channels and straits.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then, the salmon they so heavily depended upon began to steeply decline as a result of continuous commercial fishing and heavy damming of rivers. With no food, the killer whales had to expand their winter range. Their search for food also split the group; smaller groups needed fewer salmon. Up until 2000, the furthest south the 3 pods were seen was near the Columbia River along the outer Washington Coast. Then in January 2000 there was an unexpected sighting of K and L pod in Monterey Bay California! This amazed researhers, as they were not typically seen in the winter months and no one knew where they were traveling. Members of L were sighted in Monterey Bay again in March 2003, January 2008, and were just sighted again on February 10, 2011. This time, Center for Whale Research founder Ken Balcomb was there, and was able to record the encounter himself. Meanwhile, parts of J pod are being seen near Whidbey Island, Washington, about a thousand miles away from the rest of their community. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Researchers are still looking for answers behind the long distance travels, but there's one thing we can likely be sure of: until and unless the salmon populations drastically increase in the Salish Sea, we can expect to see our local resident killer whales few and far between in the winter, making long treks in search of something to eat. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Read about the Monterey Bay sightings <a href="http://montereybaywhalewatch.com/Features/PugetSoundKillerWhales1102.htm">here</a>.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://montereybaywhalewatch.com/Features/PugetSoundKillerWhales1102.htm"></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-91569356707568491352011-01-07T13:47:00.000-08:002011-02-11T14:41:52.281-08:00Furthering Our Education and Making Connections!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Several WMMSN will be attending this year's "Ways of Whales" workshop put on by Orca Network. There are many presentations we're looking forward to, one of which will provide particularly useful information to us as a stranding network. John Calambokidis of Cascadia Research Collective will be discussing unusual cetacean sightings in the Salish Sea, such as the 34'5" Bryde's whale seen in December (necropsy complete and awaiting results, though cause of death appeared to be massive injuries obtained from a collision with a ship) and the lone bottlenose dolphin currently swimming around Puget Sound which may or may not be a member of the U.S. Navy's security program. The Navy announced it's plans to use both sea lions and bottlenose dolphins in the Puget Sound by the end of 2010, however they will not say whether this dolphin is from such program.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're interested in learning more about this workshop, visit the link below. Feel free to join us, it looks like it will be a fun and informative day!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=r5jgwzbab&oeidk=a07e38rwy8uc38b094a">Orca Network's 'Ways of Whales' workshop </a></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-22260068861910521742010-12-16T19:53:00.000-08:002011-02-11T14:42:37.720-08:00Join WMMSN this Saturday at O'Donnell's Bellingham Flea Market!<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Join us this Saturday the 18th 10am -5pm at the flea market on Cornwall Ave! We will have a booth set up right in front and will be selling our WMMSN t-shirts and beautiful seal prints drawn by our own Volunteer Coordinator Bob Ryerson - both of which make excellent holiday gifts! We will also be awarding one seal print to whoever can guess how many seashells are in a jar. Only $1 per guess, maybe you'll be that lucky winner! </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As at all our booths, you'll also be able to learn more about our local marine mammals, sign up to volunteer with us, or make a donation to help keep us going. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hope to see you there!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Holidays!</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Public Market Building, corner of Cornwall/York</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">(the old "Tube Time")</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1522 Cornwall Ave.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bellingham, WA 98225</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-70154341139705450592010-12-09T12:37:00.000-08:002010-12-09T12:37:47.404-08:00A local sighting of wild weaned pups:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4DNiW0WMUMIagGcOgpt-QbsWk7biZnkWIU5xVGxCO6qFKQjOKICYxoXq-kfKjacQAzpfNsZDcbN8xyII9Lu7UqOfBhYl1o-ndfYZmzbfQ5LPdEg97YH_fE_4lUmYkMPhiyfssPkF732R/s1600/wild.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4DNiW0WMUMIagGcOgpt-QbsWk7biZnkWIU5xVGxCO6qFKQjOKICYxoXq-kfKjacQAzpfNsZDcbN8xyII9Lu7UqOfBhYl1o-ndfYZmzbfQ5LPdEg97YH_fE_4lUmYkMPhiyfssPkF732R/s320/wild.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Every once in a while (usually due to some level of human interference) a seal pup needs a helping hand. For whatever reason some pups are abandoned and we're able to rescue them from certain starvation and send them to Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. During their stay at Wolf Hollow they'll be checked for any injuries or illnesses, fed a nutritious formula, gain lots of weight, and finally learn to swim and catch fish. After they meet the specific health requirements they're released back into the world to live out their lives as the wild harbor seal they were born to be. These rehabbed pups get a second chance at that "happily ever after" story. <br />
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Then there are the pups who don't need our rehab centers, and these are the stories we love to hear! A baby seal's best shot at life is to have a caring and attentive mother who will nurse it and teach it everything it will need to know to be a harbor seal. Only a mother can teach her pup invaluable life lessons such as effective hunting techniques, and how to watch out for those big black and white seal-eaters. These are the truly lucky ones, the ones with the greatest chance of survival. WMMSN volunteer Katharine Sell recently came across such a group near a popular seal haulout at Semiahmoo. While the larger adults haul out on the docks, these four weaned pups seemed content to rest together on a smaller floating log. Perhaps getting up on the docks is a bit too tricky for these pups right now. This will be just one of the many skills that both the wild weaned and rehabilitated seals will be practicing in the next few months, and we wish the best of luck to both!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-89782984991208324512010-09-22T16:38:00.000-07:002010-09-23T07:15:38.516-07:00Here's a brief account and a few pictures of the Dogwood/Snowberry adventures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BLd__ZSt3VmgafkXFiz07RPDY1_lwaF8aQF9CcLhse3JvLczmfi41psJBBJRi4MLlc0WgJeiddX5f2AEytoCchWUEI9KZr3tQmnWRAw_V7mAKyHKhhBrjkPrWwlJmF9V7p_noDdCaYy_/s1600/WMMSN-09-22-2010-SealRelease-HHarris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BLd__ZSt3VmgafkXFiz07RPDY1_lwaF8aQF9CcLhse3JvLczmfi41psJBBJRi4MLlc0WgJeiddX5f2AEytoCchWUEI9KZr3tQmnWRAw_V7mAKyHKhhBrjkPrWwlJmF9V7p_noDdCaYy_/s400/WMMSN-09-22-2010-SealRelease-HHarris.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Their crates were open, and Snowberry was first to peek his head out. He slowly made his way out of the crate and into the water. He turned back towards the beach and climbed up, then turned back towards water. He finally started to swim a bit and then there was some big splashing and gulls circling him. Could he have found a fishy already?! We hope! We watched him swim around for a good ten minutes, occasionally glancing over at Dogwoods crate, which he was still in. Actually, he turned around so his head was facing away from the water! Apparently what Snowberry was doing looked like no fun. </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0Op4otouwfUZuWj8t4bNuvhU9LrG0zbqlE3yJRgUIguXeu_IZLc2g2xfm7sqt0IMa2HL2715aRsK13lg8vrJs7UWJQ8ODaQiJtn54tirOMDBthG37CRX3_n9tAG4g4BZk3jdBIGlZEoh/s1600/WMMSN-09-22-2010-SealRelease-HHarris1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0Op4otouwfUZuWj8t4bNuvhU9LrG0zbqlE3yJRgUIguXeu_IZLc2g2xfm7sqt0IMa2HL2715aRsK13lg8vrJs7UWJQ8ODaQiJtn54tirOMDBthG37CRX3_n9tAG4g4BZk3jdBIGlZEoh/s400/WMMSN-09-22-2010-SealRelease-HHarris1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The </span><a href="http://www.wolfhollowwildlife.org/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wolf Hollow</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> volunteers </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black;">pushed the crate closer to the water, until he was about 2 inches deep. They tipped his crate, we could hear him trying to scamper to the very back. Eventually the volunteers had to turn the crate completely upside down so he had no choice but to fall out of it into the water. He just stared at us. After a few minutes went by, one of the volunteers threw some pebbles his way to make a splash. He didn't move. After a few more minutes another volunteer walked right up to him and started kicking her boot right near his face to splash him with water. He looked up at her and jumped (as much as a seal can jump) right up at her. If he were a dog he'd have jumped right in her arms! It was so sad, you could almost hear him "But mama, I want to stay with you!" Eventually he started to swim away, but swam by all of us first, looking right up at us. </span></span></span><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black;">Oh, poor baby, didn't want to go out in the big world! He also didn't really seem to get the concept of swimming like a normal harbor seal. He kept the "banana" pose the whole time, trying to keep his back flippers out of the water instead of using them to propel himself. Maybe his flipper tags were making him a bit uncomfortable? </span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEqilOfOXK_cWHorFjmB9JqNN-c1MhZjOCB2PopF7Tp-1JJlF-shpQ6gZc0cguHtSoXoKtcd30BmdgVOcA_aNYZ-w9B5UStsQbxv8vHWzfymUmCs2BnDNytYBRx_o5nzTUTiTmTDlXDDR/s1600/WMMSN-09-22-2010-SealRelease-HHarris2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEqilOfOXK_cWHorFjmB9JqNN-c1MhZjOCB2PopF7Tp-1JJlF-shpQ6gZc0cguHtSoXoKtcd30BmdgVOcA_aNYZ-w9B5UStsQbxv8vHWzfymUmCs2BnDNytYBRx_o5nzTUTiTmTDlXDDR/s400/WMMSN-09-22-2010-SealRelease-HHarris2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black;"><a href="http://www.seadocsociety.org/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SeaDoc Society</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> says we should be able to track them on a daily basis, I think starting in a week, on their website. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><span style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Heather Hill </span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-46278202323766131152010-09-21T11:42:00.000-07:002010-09-21T11:42:59.161-07:00WMMSN teams up with WhatcomCounts.orgWhat is <a href="http://www.whatcomcounts.org/whatcom/index.php">WhatcomCounts.org</a>?<br />
<br />
"<span style="color: #000066; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.whatcomcounts.org/whatcom/index.php">WhatcomCounts.org</a> is a one-stop source for community health information in Whatcom County. Find data, learn about the issues, and determine effective methods for lasting improvement." - from their website</span><br />
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<span style="color: #000066; font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #000066;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="http://www.whatcomcounts.org/whatcom/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=21539">Click here to see the WMMSN page</a></b> at <a href="http://www.whatcomcounts.org/whatcom/index.php">WhatcomCounts.org</a>:</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-76501472331064900532010-09-21T11:26:00.000-07:002010-09-21T11:26:18.365-07:00WMMSN in the news: Komo 4 video<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" value="http://content.secondspace.com/news/detailsplayer.swf?videoSrc=http://kidkbim.s3.amazonaws.com/pupskill-1284080859.mar.mp4&prerollAdTag=http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/KOMO/LOCAL;tile=1;sz=320x240;ord=82919882&clickURL=http%3A//www.komonews.com/news/local/102586859.html%3Ftab%3Dvideo&startPlaying=false" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://content.secondspace.com/news/detailsplayer.swf?videoSrc=http://kidkbim.s3.amazonaws.com/pupskill-1284080859.mar.mp4&prerollAdTag=http://ad.doubleclick.net/pfadx/KOMO/LOCAL;tile=1;sz=320x240;ord=82919882&clickURL=http%3A//www.komonews.com/news/local/102586859.html%3Ftab%3Dvideo&startPlaying=false" AllowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" height="360" width="640"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-84088439914177845112010-09-21T11:24:00.000-07:002010-09-21T11:36:12.949-07:00WMMSN in the news at bellinghamherald.com<div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><h4 class="date">POSTED: Friday, Jul. 16, 2010 </h4>"A newborn harbor seal pup was rescued from the beach Thursday, July 15, after its mother died and left it stranded. Volunteers from the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network picked up the seal at about 4:30 p.m. in the busy beach area across from the restaurant core along Birch Bay Drive."<br />
<span><br />
<a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/16/1529350/stranded-newborn-seal-pup-rescued.html#ixzz10BrZNMt3">Click here for full article</a></span></div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><span> </span></div><span></span></div><div><span><br />
</span></div><div><span><br />
</span></div><h4 class="date">POSTED: Thursday, Sep. 09, 2010</h4>"A newborn seal pup rescued from a Birch Bay beach after its mother died is expected to be released back into the wild by the end of September.<br />
Meanwhile, rescue groups have seen a recent rash of seal killings in the area and are concerned fishermen may be killing the seals instead of deterring them other ways."<br />
<br />
</div></div><a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/09/09/1609092/newborn-seal-rescued-from-birch.html?storylink=addthis">Click here for full article </a><br />
<div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
<span><a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/16/1529350/stranded-newborn-seal-pup-rescued.html#ixzz10BrZNMt3" style="color: #003399;"></a></span></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-40738717916131147912010-09-21T11:21:00.000-07:002010-09-21T11:21:00.167-07:00Meeting Minutes 9/1/10<div style="font-family: inherit;"> </div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Date:</b></u></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">September 1, 2010</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Location:</b></u></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Metcalf Hodges Accounting Firm conference room</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Meeting called to order at: </b></u></span> </div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">6:30 pm</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>People present at Meeting:</b></u></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Mariann Carrasco</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Heather Harris</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Michael Bowland</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Anastasia Edgar</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Kelly Armijo</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Lori Crawford</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Victoria Souze</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Edradine Hovde</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;">Claudia Olejniczak</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><ul style="font-family: inherit;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Unanimous approval to accept minutes from past meeting</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Treasurer’s report from Lori shows that we have about $1400 in our account after paying some bills and getting all our refunds and donations covered.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mariann brought in all the items that go in the necropsy kits except the formaldehyde. Necropsy kits were passed out to Stasi, and Victoria said she could take Christi hers. Michael bought a kit on the spot. Mariann will hang onto Kellie’s until she gets back.</div></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>Old Minutes:</b></u></span></div><ul style="font-family: inherit;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Discussion on Adopt-a-seal program, donating seal prints. Danielle passed on costs she received from her boyfriend at 79 cents per copy not including matte. Since Bob wasn’t here we decided to table the discussion for a board meeting or the next Oct when everyone needed could make it. We need Bob, Victoria, Trisha, and others all at the same meeting at the same time. Bob was not able to get costs for the prints yet. </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mariann gave a brief summary of the grants process. Mariann and Lori are finalizing the grant and it is with the grant reviewer now. Hopefully it will get finished and out this week or next. Claudia also asked to review it.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Most folks are doing their beach surveys, although it has not revealed very many extra strandings, but the season is still young!</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This summer’s fundraiser, the boat trip, was cancelled as Trisha was very sick this summer and couldn’t plan the fundraiser properly. Get well Trisha! She should be on the mend now.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Mariann reminded everyone to send their hours/expenses to Bob at the end of each month.</div></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u><b>New Business</b></u></span></span></div><ul style="font-family: inherit;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Mariann and Kelly put in a plug for everyone to see the movie “The Cove</span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">”, </span></span><span style="color: black;">an excellent documentary about the dolphin slaughter in Japan. Well worth viewing if you get a chance.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Mariann updated everyone on a volunteer appreciation party to be held in January. Awards will be given out (some of them humorous!) and certificates for hours volunteered (so get your hours to Bob) as well as food, drink and other great stuff! More info to come out later.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Mariann provided a statistical summary of strandings so far this year, in preparation for an article to come out in the Bellingham Herald either Sept 9 or 10. Watch for this article.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">We discussed have another seal triage training at Wolf Hollow to coincide with release of our pups later this month or next. </span><span style="color: red;">Julie or Mariann to check into this possibility</span><span style="color: black;">. (see what happens when you miss a meeting; an assignment!)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">We reviewed the highlights of the summer strandings and discussed the unusual ones and what things might work to make responses go more smoothly. </span> </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">We discussed ordering 2.5% Dextrose so that we have the proper fluids available should another pup go to NWRC. </span><span style="color: red;">Mariann and/or Julie to look into this</span><span style="color: black;">.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">We may include pictures of what we are doing into our grant to show how our education efforts are working. </span><span style="color: red;">Mariann to look into this</span><span style="color: black;">.</span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Starr Johnson, one of our volunteers who was gone this summer while she served on the Sea Shephard, will be our presenter at the October meeting. She will talk about her experiences on the boat and what it was like working in the Mediterranean this summer</span>.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Next board meeting we should review our goals for 2011 and see what we can or can’t do with the money we have since we would not get grant money until summer of 2011, as well as finalize our adopt-a-seal program.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stasi, Lori and Heather gave updates on how the 2 summer education events went at Birch bay and Blaine.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Mariann mentioned that elections will be held in November. The Co-Investigator position is open and all other positions, except the Education director which was just filled, will be available for new folks. <span style="color: red;">We are looking for a NON-BOARD member to head up the elections committee (could be just 2-3 people) to canvas for board members in the November elections. If you are interested, please contact Mariann.</span> </div></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;">Mariann showed a draft clip (about 10 minutes) of the gray whale necropsy that happened last spring. This clip will eventually be part of a small documentary about the WMMSN and what we do that we can use at educational events that Ken Carrasco is working on, and will finish sometime in 2011.</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">Meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-59352117079107544942010-08-02T09:40:00.000-07:002010-08-02T09:41:34.212-07:00NOAA releases State of the Climate Report<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">This week NOAA released The State of the Climate report. More than 300 scientists from 160 research groups in 48 countries contributed to the report. This report shows the past decade was warmer than any other on record and our planet has been growing warmer for the last 50 years.</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Details and more information about climate changes can be found here:</span></div><ul style="font-family: inherit;"><li><span style="font-size: small;">Read the full report and supplemental information at <a href="http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/bams-state-of-the-climate/2009.php">BAMS Annual State of the Climate Report.</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">See video release explanation of findings at <a href="http://www.climate.gov/#understandingClimate%20%20%20">NOAA Climate Services </a>web page.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">View the <a href="http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100728_stateoftheclimate.html">press release</a> from NOAA </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><i><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black;"><b><span style="color: #003366;"><span style="color: #003366; font-weight: bold;"></span></span></b><span style="color: #003366;"><span style="color: #003366;"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103589365176&s=1968&e=0014E_CraFrd-w8Rilzqt4qZi93t2Fao9LirYXbhKLbWXYnouVnboAUZ6Qe4XNLUKJKfYdNRpwp1V3RhAFTBWz4hdaZkiqxq_3SjJvXXnLx9p49ZyUPUWdxiIfFgVoCod-dlNMqPSgzRkj6ETWdxxaa7Q==" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank" title="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103589365176&s=1968&e=0014E_CraFrd-w8Rilzqt4qZi93t2Fao9LirYXbhKLbWXYnouVnboAUZ6Qe4XNLUKJKfYdNRpwp1V3RhAFTBWz4hdaZkiqxq_3SjJvXXnLx9p49ZyUPUWdxiIfFgVoCod-dlNMqPSgzRkj6ETWdxxaa7Q=="><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1280765904_13"></span></a></span></span></span></span></i></span></i></span></li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="color: black;"><span id="role_document"><i><span family="SANSSERIF"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1280765904_13"> </span></span></span></i></span></i><span id="role_document" style="color: black;"><span family="SANSSERIF" style="color: navy;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black;"><span style="color: #003366;"><span style="color: #003366;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1280765904_13"><span style="color: black;">For updated information from NOAA check them out on</span> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov">Facebook</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-34424534372216821402010-07-26T22:43:00.000-07:002010-07-26T22:43:58.863-07:00Recent stranding news<div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
On July 15th, the <a href="http://www.wmmsn.org/"><b>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network</b></a> received a call about a seal pup at <a href="http://www.birchbay.net/" target="_blank"><b>Birch Bay</b></a>. The pup was located on a populated portion of beach below the Blue Fish Restaurant. An adult female <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbor_Seal" target="_blank"><b>Harbor Seal</b></a> who appeared to have been the pup's mother was found dead near by. The cause of death appeared to be complications with the birth. The pup was very healthy and active but without a mother to nurse him and was in need of help as beach goers, kids and dogs were harassing the pup.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Volunteers arrived to crate the pup for a quick transfer to the <a href="http://www.wolfhollowwildlife.org/" target="_blank"><b>Wolf Hollow Rehab Center</b></a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Harbor,_Washington" target="_blank"><b>Friday Harbor</b></a> and put him on the next flight. The pup is now doing well at the rehab facility and is a boy. His name is Dogwood and we hope he can be released into the wild again soon, probably in late September or early October.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">The volunteers who participated in this days event were:</div><ul style="font-family: inherit;"><li>Marcia Steadman</li>
<li>Katharine Sell</li>
<li>Shirley Sell</li>
<li>Stasi Edgar</li>
<li>Lynn & Michael Bowland</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: inherit;"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-14341253572793900772010-07-17T13:50:00.000-07:002010-07-17T13:50:00.472-07:00The Bellingham Herald / Local News / Stranded newborn seal pup rescued in Birch Bay after mother diesFrom today's news:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/07/16/1529350/stranded-newborn-seal-pup-rescued.html?storylink=addthis">The Bellingham Herald / Local News / Stranded newborn seal pup rescued in Birch Bay after mother dies</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-68943042748603801682010-06-07T16:01:00.000-07:002010-06-07T16:08:32.284-07:00General Meeting Minutes - June 2010<div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Date: June 5, 2010</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Location: Metcalf Hodges Accounting Firm conference room</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meeting called to order at: 10:05 am</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People present at Meeting: </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann Carrasco</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heather Harris</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bob Ryerson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carley Lowe</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christi Spangler</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kellie Dalrymple</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Starr Johnson</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Michael Bowland</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anastasia Edgar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rick Defehr</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lynn Defehr</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deanna Defehr</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unanimous approval to accept minutes from past meeting</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Approximated treasurer’s report from Mariann in Lori’s absence shows that we have about $1200 in our account after paying some bills. IRS refund of overpayment of 501 (c) (3) approval is being sent to us ($450).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann brought in all the remaining items that go in the basic kits except the rope and dry erase markers. White boards, flagging tape, large and small ziploc sample bags were all passed out to those that bought basic kits.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old Minutes:</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discussion on Adopt-a-seal program, donating seal prints. Bob was not able to get costs for the prints yet. Danielle, Trisha and Edradine were not in attendance to pass on what they found out either, so discussion centered on explaining the program to those not familiar with it. Decision was made to wait until the next meeting for cost comparison to come in and then make a decision. Also, Starr said she knows the manager at Kinkos and she might be able to get us a good deal. Bob to look into it. Bob still needs to put together a table of specifications for the prints so that others can approach vendors for accurate comparisons. Bob’s vendor is charging $110 for 50 prints.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann gave a brief summary of the grants process. Mariann and Lori are finalizing the budget and will get it to Carley soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vancouver Aquarium is tentatively scheduled for June 12th. Carley says 12 people are signed up right now so it is booked. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann brought everyone up to speed about our only fundraiser for the year, the July 31st boat trip on Ken and Mariann’s 32’ power boat. We are still waiting to hear back from Trisha on the Mt. Baker Vineyards and Chuckanut Brewery donations before we can put together the invitations. Rick mentioned their 40’ boat and that their family might be willing to do something similar if ours is successful and there are more people that want to come. Mariann and Ken to meet with Rick and look over their boat to see how many people it can hold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann reminded everyone to send their hours/expenses to Bob at the end of each month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seal pup triage was approved by NOAA with a small caviat, so we are good to go.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Northern Lights article was submitted by Heather and is being run. Great job Heather! Heather still has not heard back from the Bellingham Herald and will try contacting them again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann gave everyone updates on the July Discovery Days booth (July 17-18) and the August Drayton Harbor Days booth (August 7), on what they are about and what our role is when we have a booth. She also told folks to contact Bob if they want to sign up to staff a booth for a couple of hours either of those days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann checked in with everyone regarding beach surveys. Most everyone in attendance has done their beach surveys without incident or finding a marine mammal. </span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">New Business:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann updated everyone on the Steller’s sea lion that stranded on Lummi Island on Memorial Day (young male) and showed a slide later on diastema in the lower jaw that was the main distinguishing factor identifiying it as a Steller’s instead of a California’s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann updated everyone on her scheduled vacation of June 28 through July 7th, and that Carley will be taking over for her during that time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, Carley is leaving us to go to grad school (in Hawaii!) August 1st, so the board decided that her position of Co-Investigator should remain open until the November elections. Those interested in consideration for this slot should contact Carley or Mariann to talk about what is involved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The board approved dropping the July and August general meetings because everyone is sooo busy with seal pups and vacations. Next meeting is September 1st, Wed evening at 6:30 pm. And all our meetings will be held 6:30 pm the first Wednesday of every month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Updates on the $500 emergency fund voted and approved by the board and the approval by the board to pay for 2 people (Lori and Victoria) to attend the grant writing class put on by WCC.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bob showed everyone the decals he purchased for the club; a large size for the back of the vest and a small size to be used on the front lapel of the vest or else on a ball cap. We decided to sell them at $10 for the large and $3 for the small decals based on the cost we were charged for them. Nine of the 10 large decals and 4 of the 12 small decals were later sold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Necropsy training on June 13th at 1:00 pm at 2508 G st. in Bham (Mike’s garage) was discussed. So far 8 people are signed up and 4 of the 6 necropsy kits that were ordered have been paid for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was brought up that if you can’t do a necropsy of an animal than at least get a 1 inch cubed sized blubber sample.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carley will put on another tagging training in July for those interested. Mariann needs to talk to Mike about the tags.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discussion on preparation for the summer season commenced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ken Carrasco, from the Coast Guard Auxiliary that specializes in chemical spills and their affect on the marine environment, proceeded to talk about oil spills in our area, after Mariann presented the Federal picture on oil spills. Ken presented how oil spill emergency response is organized and who responds in detail. Discussion ensued. Ken offered up the National Oil Spill responses number that anyone can call in case of an oil spill. 1-800-424-8802.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann presented a harbor seal pup case study that everyone worked through, so that hopefully we are all prepared for the summer. Mariann will attach the document to the minutes in case others that couldn’t attend want to see what is needed and run through the case study.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">HARBOR SEAL CASE STUDY</span> </span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6/5/10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network</span><br />
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<div></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Background:</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have been given a location of Birch Bay, right in front of the only restaurant on the water. The restaurant manager is the caller. You are to meet a fellow stranding network volunteer at the site at 11:00 am. It is a Saturday in June and you were told that a live seal pup has been abandoned on the beach and many people were coming by to pet it and have pictures taken with their kids next to it. It is hot and sunny out (wishful thinking….). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Work in pairs and answer these questions:</strong></span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do you take with you given what you know?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do you do when you get there?</span></li>
</ol><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Considerations:</strong> </span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will the weather play a factor?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will the public play a factor?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you have the right equipment to respond to this situation?</span></li>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scroll down to see the answers</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1)What do you take with you given what you know?</span><br />
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<div></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Digital camera</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cell phone</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">basic kit or equivalent supplies especially flagging caution tape</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sticks to tie tape to</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">signs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gloves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your ID</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your WMMSN T-shirt (if you have one)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your binder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sun block</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">food</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GPS (if you have one)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the call sheet </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">mud boots </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pants that can get muddy </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">handouts and brochures</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2)What do you do when you get there?</span><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Check to make sure you park in an appropriate place. Phone your partner and meet up with them. Find the seal pup based on restaurant owners instructions. Look for crowds of people. Make sure you have all your gear in case the pup is far out on the beach. Approach the group. Part your way through. Raise your voice and tell the group who you are and who your represent. Tell them that everyone needs to be at least 300 feet away (Birch Bay being such a large beach, you might be able to get people that far away, depending on precisely where the pup is located). Tell them that all people and dogs must stay away because MM can carry diseases and because their presence is stressing the pup. Make sure everyone knows to call 966-8845 if they see a marine mammal on the beach. Verify that it is a seal pup. Explain that the pup is not calling for its mom because it has been abandoned; it is calling because it is scared as they are too many people around with their kids and dogs. Set up your perimeter and post signs. Tell them that you are trained as a responder and are certified to handle seal pups and you understand the risks; that is why you can get within 300 feet of the pup and no one else can, if asked. Handout brochures if needed and answer questions about our organization if asked. Refer them to our website, www.wmmsn.org for more answers. Get photos of the pup from several angles, using the white board. Determine the condition of the pup, i.e., dehydrated (skinny with wrinkled skin) or fat (nice and rounded), how many days old it is by the freshness of its umbilical cord, verify the details with the reporting party, call the principle investigator or equivalent with your findings. The PI will start making calls to set up more pup sitters to rotate with you over the next 24 hours based on everyone’s schedules.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-13388104225907888692010-05-16T04:40:00.000-07:002010-05-16T04:40:54.164-07:00Minutes from May 5 General Meeting<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Date:</strong> May 5, 2010 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Location:</strong> Metcalf Hodges Accounting Firm conference room</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Meeting called to order at:</strong> 6:35 pm</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>People present at Meeting:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann Carrasco, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heather Harris, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Julie Straight, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bob Ryerson, Lo</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ri Crawford, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Danielle Love, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Edradine Hovde, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trisha O’Connor</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unanimous approval to accept minutes from past meeting</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Old Business:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Discussion on Adopt-a-seal program, donating seal prints. Decision was made for charge $20 per print/certificate for the harbor seal, $30 for harbor porpoise, $40 for gray whale, $50 for Steller’s sea lion, $75 for the killer whale. We will do a certificate with a stuffed whale or seal for kids and families. Bob will make a table of items that need to be discussed with vendors and send it around to Danielle, Trisha, and Edradine who think they can approach some printing companies so we can figure out costs to print. Bob’s vendor is charging $110 for 50 prints.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann, in Carley’s absence, gave a brief summary of the grants process. Carley is working on a draft now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vancouver Aquarium is tentatively scheduled for May 16th. Space is limited to 10 people, first come first serve. Carley to get back with us this week for final arrangements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bob to send me details on Blaine coming up this weekend to set folks to sign up. Trisha, Julie, Sonia and Bob are scheduled now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ski to Sea, Memorial Day weekend is the next event. Please contact Bob if you are available for this event. Mariann can do the afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann reminded everyone to send their hours/expenses to Bob at the end of each month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seal pup triage needs to be approved by NOAA before we proceed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>New Business:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oil Spill: no updates right now. Go to website to find out how to volunteer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prior to the regular meeting a quorum of the board met and accepted the resignations of Rose Lavoie as Volunteer Director and Robert Ryerson as Director of Education. Verbal elections were held and Heather Harris was approved unanimously as Education Director and Robert Ryerson as Volunteer Director, to serve the remaining terms of office. Trisha O’Connor was voted to take over as Development Director when Sonia Hurt vacated that office in the next month or so. Sonia will get together with Trisha in the next month to transfer all her information she has collected.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mariann then proceeded to present information that was presented with various papers at the National Marine Mammal Stranding Network Conference. She recommends that we put in our budget for 3 people to go to the conference next time, as it was an excellent conference and so much information was gathered. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-10427058427053734032010-05-14T12:40:00.000-07:002010-05-14T12:40:29.678-07:00Whale entangled in fishing gearA humpback whale entangled in fishing gear reported by a fisherman. Here's some video of the rescue attempt from King 5. Read the full article <a href="http://www.king5.com/news/local/Rescuers-trying-to-free-tangled-whale-off-WA-coast-93679289.html">here</a><br />
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<object height="288" width="470"><param name="movie" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" value="http://www.king5.com/v/?i=93679289" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="AllowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.king5.com/v/?i=93679289" AllowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" height="288" wmode="transparent" width="470"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6322046462786395691.post-58258392700543502772010-05-09T08:00:00.000-07:002010-05-09T08:00:01.615-07:00May 17, 2010 - New Volunteer Responder & refresher training:<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">This is the last scheduled training before pup season 2010. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Do you have a love and concern for our local marine mammals? Would you like to volunteer to make a difference in our community? Register now to become a member of the WMMSN Stranding Response Team. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">At this training you will learn what is required for responding to a stranding including:</span> <br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Species identification of marine mammals common to this area</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">How to recognize and document various types of injuries and illnesses</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Determining and establishing a safe perimeter around marine mammals</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Laws, regulations, and procedures to be followed when working with stranded or deceased marine mammals</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">What paperwork is required and how to fill it out</span> </li>
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<center> <br />
<table bgcolor="#000080" border="0" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="5" height="236"><tbody>
<tr style="background-color: #9fc5e8; color: #351c75;"> <td align="right" colspan="2" height="19" width="100%"><h2 align="center"><b><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Volunteer Responder Training</span></b></h2></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="38" valign="top" width="33%"><h4><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Registration required:</span></b></h4></td> <td height="38" valign="top" width="99%"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">To register, please call Bob Ryerson, Director of Volunteers at 360-306-1568 or email to: <a href="mailto:volunteers@wmmsn.org" style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>volunteers@wmmsn.org </i></span></a></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="19" width="33%"><h4><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Class length: </span></b></h4></td> <td align="left" height="19" width="99%"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">1 session (approximately 3 hours)</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="19" width="33%"><h4><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Date: </span></b></h4></td> <td align="left" height="19" width="99%"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">May 17th</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="19" width="33%"><h4><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Time: </span></b></h4></td> <td align="left" height="19" width="99%"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">6:00 - 9:00 pm </span></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="20" valign="top" width="33%"><h4><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Location: </span></b></h4></td> <td align="left" height="20" width="99%"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Metcalf Hodges Building Conference Room at</span> <span style="font-family: Tahoma;">770 East Holly St </span></span></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="19" width="33%"><h4><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Instructor:</span></b></h4></td> <td align="left" height="19" width="99%"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Mariann Carrasco of WMMSN</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="23" valign="top" width="33%"><b><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">Cost: </span></b></td> <td align="left" height="23" valign="top" width="99%"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">$25 for new volunteers. Current volunteers may refresh training for free</span></td></tr>
<tr> <td align="right" height="49" valign="top" width="33%"><h4> </h4></td> <td align="left" height="49" valign="top" width="99%"><span style="color: white; font-family: Tahoma;">**WMMSN Tshirts ($20) and responder kits containing necessary response items ($15) will be available for purchase at the training.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></center></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thank you for your interest in the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at http://www.WMMSN.org</div>Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Networkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01273368683046780915noreply@blogger.com0