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Rescued Oregon Coast Seal Adapts to New Home at SeaWorld |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Waldport, Yachats & Florence.
04/10/08
Secrets of the Season |
Rescued Oregon Coast Seal Adapts to New Home at SeaWorld
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| Lola, a rescued Guadalupe fur seal, “talks” to Bill Horn, SeaWorld Senior Animal Care Specialist. The rescued fur seal received nearly six months of loving care by Oregon Coast Aquarium mammalogists before making her permanent home at SeaWorld. Photo credit: Mike Aguilera/SeaWorld San Diego |
(Newport, Oregon) - A rescued Guadalupe fur seal that had been in rehabilitation at the Oregon Coast Aquarium is doing well in her new home at SeaWorld in San Diego, say aquarium staff.
The fur seal, named Lola, is adapting well to her environment in the warmer waters of San Diego’s SeaWorld. Tom Goff, head of the SeaWorld mammal department, reports that Lola is in a holding pool behind-the-scenes at Pacific Point, the pinniped exhibit at SeaWorld. Goff said she gets along well with her pool mates, which include California sea lions and harbor seals. Once permission is granted from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), she will make her permanent home in the Pacific Point exhibit.
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When the seal was brought to the Oregon Coast Aquarium last August, the goal of husbandry staff was to rehabilitate and release her. Guadalupe fur seals are protected in the U.S. as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and it is the policy to make every effort to return threatened species to their habitat if the animal demonstrates the ability to survive on its own. This animal failed to do so and the decision was made not to release her. The National Marine Fisheries Service was the ultimate decision maker on her fate, based upon reports of her condition by husbandry staff.
The fur seal’s health improved markedly after nearly six months of loving care by Aquarium mammalogists. “She began to vocalize a lot and appeared to enjoy interacting with mammal staff.” said Judy Tuttle, Aquarium Curator of Mammals. Tuttle said she will live in warmer waters of her natural habitat and will be well cared for by SeaWorld staff.
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| Lola entertains the camera at the Oregon Coast Aquarium earlier this year |
“She flew down on a FedEx flight accompanied by two SeaWorld staff members, who arrived here ahead of flight time to familiarize themselves with her,” said Tuttle.
She was brought in with a healed scar on her back that husbandry staff speculated might be a shark bite. She also had a prolapsed lens in on eye – which means no vision - and a very large cataract in her good eye, indicating poor vision. By the end of August the seal showed signs of improvement. In October, Veterinarian Dr. Sara Maxwell, consultant to veterinarian Dr. Brown, looked at the seal’s cataract and determined that she was not a candidate for cataract surgery or for release in her opinion. A broken canine tooth was removed in November and the seal was again evaluated for its ability to be released. At that time, an examination by Dr. Brown determined that she had no teeth in her lower right jaw, and the appearance of her teeth indicated that she is an old animal.
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By
November, Aquarium husbandry staff recommended to the National Marine
Fisheries Service that the Guadalupe fur seal not be released and talks
began with SeaWorld in San Diego about transferring her there. Since she
would not be released back into the wild, and human imprinting would no
longer be a concern, mammalogists could then begin to train her to come
to a station to be fed. She will live the rest of her days with other
fur seals and California sea lions in her new home. The cost of caring
for the seal at the Oregon Coast Aquarium was covered in part by the National
Marine Fisheries Service and grants from the Kinsman Foundation and the
Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation.
“We are proud to use our expertise to mitigate human impact on injured wildlife and to help in the recovery of endangered or threatened wildlife,” said Jim Burke, Aquarium Director of Animal Husbandry. “This Guadalupe Fur seal is one of an estimated population of about 7,000 and we were happy to play a role in the efforts to get her back to the wild.” Burke said that although the seal cannot be released, she will play an important role in helping to educate people about the uniqueness of her species.
Oregon Coast Aquarium, in South Beach, across the bay from Newport. www.aquarium.org. (541) 867-FISH.
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Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach. All rooms are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones w/ data ports. Oceanfronts have queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and private deck. Both types sleep up to four people. Others are appointed for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. Elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite has two bedrooms, kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. Some rooms pet friendly. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
 Inn
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and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At
Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com. |
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The Ocean Lodge. There will not be another property built like this in Cannon Beach in our lifetimes. Rare, premiere ocean front location; handsome, dramatic architecture and tasteful, fun (nostalgic) beach interiors. Overlooks Haystack Rock. 100 percent smoke free. Imaginative special occasion packages. Massive wood burning lobby fireplace. Library w/ fireplace, stocked with impressive book collection. Pet and family friendly. Lavish continental buffet breakfast. In-room fireplaces, mini-kitchens. Jacuzzi tubs in select rooms. DVD players, complimentary movies. Morning paper. Warm cookies. 888-777-4047. 503-436-2241. 2864 Pacific Street. Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.theoceanlodge.com |
D Sands Condominium Motel, Lincoln City. Free, fresh baked cookie upon check-in is just the start. All rooms beachfront and up against Lincoln City's most famous stretch of beach: the D River. Each room comes as a suite or mini-suite, and has a kitchen and balcony or patio. Some w/ gas fireplaces, while all have a DVD Players; movies to rent come with free popcorn. Heated indoor pool, a spa, and this fabulous beach is lit at night. Rooms sleep from two, four to six - including a deluxe fireplace suite. Gift certificates orspecial occasion packages. www.dsandsmotel.com. 171 S.W. Highway 101. 800-527-3925. |
Arch
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Dozens of homes in that dreamy,
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sea. |
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Lincoln City Vacation Homes Something for everyone: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All are either oceanfront or just a few steps away – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets allowed in some homes – ask first. Each comes with complete kitchens. Most have seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Lincoln City’s only resort hotel built right on the beach with all oceanfront rooms - nestled against a rugged cliffside overlooking a soft, sandy beach. Dine in penthouse restaurant and bar, for casual meal or candlelight dinner. An array of seafood specialties, juicy steaks and other Northwest favorites, including decadent Sunday buffet. Rooms range from bedrooms to studios to 1-bedroom suites with microwaves and refrigerators to full kitchens. Also, wi-fi, spa, saunas, exercise room and year-round heated swimming pool. Kids will love the game room and easy beach access. Full-service conference/meeting rooms for that inspirational retreat; extensive wedding possibilities. 4009 SW Highway 101, Lincoln City. 1-800-452-8127 or 541-996-2161. www.spanishhead.com |
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