The Marine Mammal Center (MMC) in Sausalito, California has long been the central triage and rehabilitation center for California's treasured marine mammal populations. Although the Aquarium is the only facility in California to treat sick and injured sea otters, we are indebted to the MMC for responding to and transporting otters to us, that are found outside our immediate area.
Today, the Center opens a $32 million facility, which makes it the largest marine mammal hospital in the nation! The state-of-the-art facility includes numerous "green" features, including use of recycled materials, solar panels and much more. The facility will open to the public on June 15.
Marine mammals like seals and sea otters are the top predators in our nearshore ecosystem, feeding on many of the seafood items we enjoy. Their disease and health issues can teach us a lot about the impacts that pollution, overfishing and climate change are having on our oceans. They are the underwater canaries in our ocean coal-mine. So it is only fitting that we should offer them some health benefits!
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Betty
http://adoptpet.info
Posted by: Betty | August 29, 2009 at 05:13 AM
Overfishing is getting pretty bad now, 93% more marine mammals were registered for protection least year than in 2007. We can learn so much from them as our own technology improves - we just need to conserve them now before it's too late.
Posted by: octacular musteline | August 04, 2009 at 02:48 PM