Begging You For Some Pinnipeds Any Pinnipeds Please

let’s swim with mama

J63 is the first southern resident calf born in 2025 and likely the first calf of J40 “Suttles”!

unfortunately, southern resident calves have around a 50% mortality rate within their first year of life. a lot of this seems to be from a lack of food availability due to overfishing and disturbances from boats.

right now, under the trump administration, FWS and NOAA are trying to change the definition of “harm” in the endangered species act in a way that would weaken environmental protections. this will severely impact the already endangered and struggling southern resident population. calves like J63 will have even lower chance of survival if this proposed rule goes through. public comments to oppose this decision are open until may 19th.

more information + suggested talking points for public comments here

submit a public comment here

source: center for whale research

Aerial photos of J-pod socialising 

Photos by SR3/SEA (source)

welcome to my blubbery blog!!! 🦭🦦🐋🐬🫧

i’m currently a volunteer at an AZA accredited aquarium, i hope to study marine environmental science in the future and work in conservation and education! my primary interests are in northern fur seal biology and southern resident killer whale behaviour, but i love all marine mammals!

i support accredited* zoos and aquariums! i do however hope that we can move away from them in the future. i think that conversations about the ethics of captivity are important and should always be centered around the wellbeing of the captive animals. i encourage caution and use of critical thinking around both anti and pro captivity arguments. i’m always happy to answer any questions about the practices of AZA accredited zoos and aquariums!

*there are some accredited zoos and aquariums (such as seaworld) that i am heavily critical of, but it’s unfortunately a complicated issue that isn’t realistic to have black and white opinions on.

marine mammal rescue, conservation, and research organisations:

alaska sealife is center

vancouver aquarium marine mammal rescue society

center for whale research

SR3

marine mammal care center

“The Navigator”

this picture is so beautiful to me, the colours brothers

Japanese Sea Lion

Gone before we could truly know them.

Zalophus japonicus memorial • extinct

Last confirmed sighting 1951

Declared extinct by ICUN 1994.

Originally considered a subspecies of Californian sea lions, later were confirmed to be a separate species in 2003.

Extinction due to over hunting & habitat destruction.

The Japanese sea lion was a species of pinniped found in the western North Pacific, including Japan and the Korean Peninsula. They typically resided on open beaches, and occasionally in rocky areas. They also often would rest in caves.

Rare footage of Japanese Sea Lions

Japanese sea lions were victims of both over hunting and habitat destruction. They were primarily hunted for oil, with other parts being used for medicine and other goods. The commercial harvest of them is considered to be a primary factor in their extinction.

Habitat destruction, particularly destruction brought on by WW2 submarines is also believed to have played a role in their extinction.

Along with the Caribbean Monk Seal, these two make up the only pinnipeds to go extinct in modern times.

lets be muddy with mama

sealed with a kiss 💋

casey and hogan - seattle aquarium

J62!!!

source: center for whale research