Caring for Our Fin-Footed Friends

Gay Lynn Clasen is a longtime supporter of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center on Laguna Canyon Road.

“For 10 years I’ve been adopting sea lions for my grandkids,” said the Aliso Viejo resident. 

Clasen is referring to the symbolic adoption program in which a tax-deductible contribution goes directly toward food and medication for the animals rescued by the PMMC.

“I always wanted to volunteer here, but I couldn’t do it when I was working,” Clasen said.

Now retired, Clasen spends Friday mornings at the center.  She teaches classes and answers questions for visitors who come to see the pinnipeds (fin-footed animals, including seals, sea lions and walruses) that have been rescued.

Rescue is the first "R" in the PMMC’s mission statement. Next is rehabilitation, which normally takes about two to four months. When an animal is healthy, has reached an optimal weight, is independently diving and successfully competing for food, it is released back to its natural habitat.

Unfortunately, not all of the animals rescued by the PMMC can be rehabilitated.

Clasen recalled a sea lion brought to the center that couldn’t keep food down and eventually died.  An autopsy revealed that its stomach was full of trash.

As part of its educational programs about marine life and ocean conservancy, the PMMC raises awareness about how human activities can affect the health of ocean animals.  Some types of trash that are especially hazardous to marine life include six-pack rings, balloons, plastic bags and plastic foam.

To prevent trash from traveling in storm drains to the ocean, the PMMC recommends choosing biodegradable products when possible, placing recyclables and trash in proper receptacles and not sweeping or dumping anything into storm drains or gutters.

“I like to think I am making a difference when I help to educate the visitors on the PMMC and our patients," Clasen said. 

Clasen also enjoys working with children in the classes she teaches. 

"It’s fun to watch them as they understand the part they play in helping to make the ocean a safer and healthier place for the sea lions and other marine life.”

Clasen smiled as she recalled two sea lions, Pumpkin Pie and Sweet Potato, who got their names because they were rescued at Thanksgiving.  They were “best buddies” while at the center. 

When they were healthy enough to be released in March, the doors to their cages were opened, and neither one made a move.  Then Sweet Potato left her cage and got into Pumpkin Pie’s cage. 

Finally, they both got out and “took off together.”

“The releases are incredible,” Clasen said.  “You can almost see smiles on their faces as they race across the sand and dive into the waves, happy to be back home."

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To make a donation or for information about volunteering or educational programs at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, please visit its website.