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We will update new stories and give details about current events every few weeks, or sooner if exciting new responses occur!
We will update new stories and give details about current events every few weeks, or sooner if exciting new responses occur!
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Meet Our First Marine Mammal!
VSFB-2025-10-01 / CCMART-1-25-Ej
A Steller Sea Lion Found on
Vandenberg Space Force Base
Oct 30, 2025
Photo Credit: Lauren Cooley, VSFB
What a stellar way to ring in our organization's inaugural stranding...no pun intended!
The Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) is a relatively rare pinniped in Central California, making this find all the more special. Occasionally seen as far south as San Miguel Island in the Northern Channel Islands, the largest member of the Otariid family (eared seals) is typically seen much farther north (think the Pacific Northwest and Alaska!) and can get upwards of 2,000 lbs! This juvenile male was found along a remote bluff in Sudden Ranch north of Jalama Beach County Park by one of our collaborators Lauren Cooley. Lauren was surveying for pinnipeds within the boundaries of Vandenberg Space Force Base, and promptly called our Executive Director Barbie Halaska to jointly perform a necropsy and collect specimens. Code named CCMART-1-25-Ej, this animal will contribute to our knowledge of the range and prevalence of this species.
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