2022 Patient of the Year Nominee
Steller sea lion Ersa was found alone on a beach when she was just 1 month old. Steller sea lion pups usually rely on their mothers for 10 to 12 months as they nurse and learn critical life skills, so it was clear that this orphaned pup needed help.
Steller sea lions are a very social species, so Ersa also needed to learn how to interact with other marine mammals. At our hospital, she had lots of companions, including another Steller sea lion and California sea lions. Ersa received more than 9 months of care while she grew strong and mastered survival skills, such as how to socialize with other animals and catch fish on her own.
Before Ersa was released, she was fitted with a small temporary satellite tag, so our scientists could track her and better understand how our long-term care helps Steller sea lions thrive in the wild.
Thank you for your generous donation and for making a difference in the life of a marine mammal like Ersa.
Adoption Details
This is an exclusive digital-only Adopt-a-Seal®. When you adopt this patient, you’ll automatically be able to download your adoption certificate, which shares this patient's photo and story.
Download your digital Adopt-a-Seal® today!
Please note that this is a non-customizable, download-only certificate.