SAN PEDRO, Calif. — Wild seals and sea lions can be found basking in the sun as they recover from illnesses and injuries at the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles. For nearly 30 years, the site has treated more than 8,000 marine mammals in need of rehabilitation. 

Megan Wier is a registered veterinary technician for the center. She says frozen fish and veterinary supplies are a constant need as the center cares for about 350 sick and injured marine mammals each year that come from the Santa Monica Bay, Malibu, Long Beach and the port areas.

MORE WILDLIFE STORIES:

“We see everything from malnutrition which is a natural phenomenon, but, we also see sea lions and seals that are injured by humans, gunshot wounds, fishing line entanglements,” Wier said.

For three years, the center treated about 600 marine mammals each year — almost double the amount they usually see, according to the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles. The increase in patients came at the cost of the nonprofit’s budget.

Now, the center needs $1 million in donations by June to stay open for next year’s busy season, which runs from February to about June. Between individual donations and a $100,000 check from L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Amber Becerra the center’s board president said they are about $200,000 closer to their goal.

“This facility is an absolutely critical resource to L.A. County. Animals will be washing up on the beaches sick injured. So, there really isn’t another home, another place for these animals to go,” Becerra said.

The next closest site that could treat these marine mammals would be at the California Wildlife Center.

However, that site only has room for about 35 animals, according to Becerra, whereas Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles can treat about 125 animals at a time. A large volume of sick and injured animals, that Wier is grateful to help treat and bring them back to good health.

“You see them come in they’re sick and sad and skinny and when you release them they’re all chubby and plump and when they go back to the ocean it’s the most rewarding feeling ever,” Wier said.

Now, she’s hoping this center will be able to keep caring for the animals.

The center is asking for help.

Donations can be made on-site at the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles location at 3601 S Gaffey St., San Pedro, California or online: mmccla.org