Timmi

Timmi was found emaciated and barely breathing on Broad Beach in Malibu, weighing half of what she should as an adult female California sea lion. 

When Timmi arrived at our hospital, she became the 10,000th patient to be treated by the Marine Mammal Care Center and, given her unique health complications, a fitting ambassador for the thousands of marine mammals who have received a second chance since the Center’s founding in 1992. 

Timmi was suffering from sarcocystosis, a deadly infection caused by a protozoan parasite that can lead to systemic muscle damage if not treated. Sarcocystis is a land-based parasite that can infect wild and domestic species, as well as humans, but it can be washed out to sea via contaminated waste — an important reminder that what we do on land can have an impact on the health of our ocean and marine mammals. 

While Timmi was being treated for the sarcocystosis, she developed a case of poxvirus, a fairly common infection that causes skin lesions, primarily on the head, neck and chest. 

Timmi also started to develop blistering around her face that resulted in hair loss more severe than anything our experts have ever seen. At one point, the swelling was so intense that our veterinarians were concerned she may lose her eyesight. 

Although we can’t be sure exactly what caused the blistering, after months of supportive care, Timmi’s skin is healing. Though she still bears some scars and small patches of missing fur, the sarcocystosis has resolved and her health is much improved. 

Timmi also gained more than 60 pounds, bringing her closer to a healthy weight for her age. On December 7, she was able to return to the wild with a second chance at life.