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Scientists don't know too much about leptospirosis -- a bacterial infection that can sicken people, dogs, and marine mammals. But they think it's on the rise this year -- causing ailing sea lions to wash up on Pacific Coast beaches.
Volunteers and vets from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito rescue and treat sick sea lions from 500 miles of California coast. We witness a sea lion rescue, and a happy release.
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Piece Description
Scientists don't know too much about leptospirosis -- a bacterial infection that can sicken people, dogs, and marine mammals. But they think it's on the rise this year -- causing ailing sea lions to wash up on Pacific Coast beaches. Volunteers and vets from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito rescue and treat sick sea lions from 500 miles of California coast. We witness a sea lion rescue, and a happy release.
Broadcast History
Aired tice during Morning Edition "B" segment on KQED and KQEI 9/29/08
Transcript
AMBI: OCEAN BEACH
It was a San Francisco resident named Theresa who first spotted the young sea lion lying on Ocean Beach.
THERESA: HOW COULD YOU TELL SOMETHING WAS WRONG? He looked sad. He just looked sick. I hope he gets better..
She was right. When Kat Rudd, a volunteer with the Marine Mammal Center, arrives to take a look, she can tell instantly that the sea lion is not well.
RUDD: He?s not severely emaciated, but he?s moderately underweight. He was kind of sucking on the sand, which is an indication of him being dehydrated. So at this point, it?s a matter of getting him to the facility and they?ll run blood work.
AMBI (ocean, faint voices) ?Push! Push!? OR ?So if you can keep your board there?? (continues under track )
Rudd and a couple volunteers grab some chest-high wooden shields and a net from their truck. Holding the shields in front of them - sea lions do bite - t...
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Timing and Cues
SUGGESTED HOST INTRO: As emblematic of Northern California as cable cars and cracked crab, sea lions are a big attraction at San Francisco?s Pier 39 and Monterey?s Cannery Row. But many of these animals are getting sick from a bacterial infection that seems to be on the rise this year. Amy Standen reports.
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