O.R.C.A. Homepage

Let us introduce ourselves.

We are the Ventura County, CA. volunteer marine mammal group, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) California corporation. We do not receive government funding and are solely supported by donations from private individuals, small businesses, foundations and corporations.

The specific purposes for which this corporation is organized are educational, research and animal care and welfare activities, including, but not limited to: studying the effects on sea and land animals of natural and other phenomena and the effects and interrelation of same on the human species; educating the public regarding the care and treatment of sea and land animals and their significance to the human species.

What To Do When You See A Stranded Marine Mammal

Reacting calmly and sensibly to a beached or stranded marine mammal is the most effective way to insure that they receive potentially life-saving care. Following these simple instructions can keep an animal alive and reduce its stress until qualified help can arrive.

At this time, Ventura County marine mammal care is dependent on out of County rehabilitation facilities. Sick or injured animals should be reported to the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center at 805-452-6438. Please leave a detailed message regarding the animal and its current location. You may also email the Center Director at phoworth@cox.net.

WHAT TO DO FOR A STRANDED SEAL OR SEA LION

DO NOT attempt to remove the animal or return it to the water. Seals and Sea Lions temporarily Haul Out on land to rest or dry out. Mothers briefly leave their pups while at sea.
Observe the animal from a distance of at least 50 feet. Note the condition of the animal. Any obvious injuries? Is it bleeding? Wet or dry? Any markings or tags? Do not attempt to feed the animal.
Do not pour water on beached Seals or Sea Lions. They are prone to respiratory diseases and wetting them down often adds to their suffering.
Do not touch a stranded Seal or Sea Lion! Even though they appear friendly, they can inflict severe bites. They may also carry diseases communicable to humans.
Control your pets. Keep people away! They could injure or be injured by a Seal or Sea Lion.
Determine the animals exact location! If we cant locate the animal, we cant help it. How far and in what direction from a town, river, jetty, seawall, mile marker or highway callbox?
CALL any Ventura County agency (i.e. police, fire, etc.) to report the stranding even if the animal is dead. Valuable research about these animals and our environment can be gained.

WHAT TO DO FOR A STRANDED WHALE OR DOLPHIN

DO NOT attempt to return the animal to sea. They are there for a reason usually sick or injured.
Keep people and dogs away from the animal. Only 1 or 2 persons are needed until expert help arrives. Additional people will only add more stress to the dolphin or whale.
If the animal is in the surf support it upright keeping water out of the blowhole at all times.
Keep the animal cool and wet by splashing water on the skin. Avoid getting water into the blowhole.
Apply wet towels or t-shirts and provide shade i f possible using tarps or towels. Keep the blowhole free of obstructions and take care not to cover any of its fins or tail.
DO NOT apply suntan oil. If available, apply zinc oxide to the fins and tail. The dolphins skin is very sensitive and will sunburn severely.
Be careful around the extremely powerful tail.
CALL any Ventura County agency (i.e. police, fire, etc.) to report the stranding even if the animal is dead. Valuable research about these animals and our environment can be gained.

Help ORCA by buying on eBay!

Please check our eBay listings for some items that directly benefit ORCA! (This link takes you to Mission Fish, eBay's charitable giving site.) Check often for new items.

A word to Netscape and Mozilla users:

ORCA has a new Webmaster, who uses Mozilla. I've begun to fix up pages that I found didn't work with Mozilla before, so if you had to switch to another browser to make some pages work, you should be able to go back to the one you like.

We don't want to tie you to any particular browser or platform to enjoy our site. Most pages should be enjoyable on any browser, but some in the Kid's Corner and elsewhere may require Java.

Problems with the site? Let me know!