The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium currently houses three California sea lions living in our sea lion habitat. All three are rescues, who were once stranded in the wild and deemed non-releasable. The Marine Mammal and Pinniped Rescue project, led by Water's Edge Team Lead Darcy Huismann, helps to support the conservation of wild populations of marine mammals, including California Sea lions, through rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education. This project is in partnership with the Marine Mammal Center.
The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California is one of the largest marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation hospitals in the world. They care for nearly 1,000 patients each year. The Marine Mammal Center advances global ocean conservation through rescue and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education. The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium supports the Marine Mammal Center’s ongoing efforts by providing critical needs for their operations, such as, biological sample freezers, Life Support System equipment upgrades, and technology to help monitor patients for effectively. Through this ongoing partnership, we can continue to protect these animals.
Each year a member of our sea lion care staff or our veterinary staff is able to stay at the center and assist with their patient care such as preparing and feeding diets, administering patient medications, cleaning holding areas, and assisting with veterinary exams and treatment.
To learn more about the Marine Mammal Center, visit their website at http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/
Home