Marine Mammals and Gunshot Violence
Learn About Gunshot Patients and How You Can Help
The Southern California coastline is meant to be a place of refuge for marine mammals, but sadly, that peace is too often interrupted by the direct human impact of gunshots. In recent years, dozens of California sea lions have arrived at Marine Mammal Care Center with gunshot wounds.
In 2024 alone, 10 patients had known gunshot injuries. Five of them were pups or yearlings; three were previous patients; and only one survived. These are just the animals we know about. The true number of marine mammals that are shot each year is likely much higher. One two-year study out of Orange County found bullet fragments in nearly one-third of sea lions admitted for care (Locke et al., 2023).
The nature of the injuries that we see associated with gunshot wounds varies significantly based on the parts of the body affected by the trajectory of the bullet. Rocky, a young sea lion rescued from Malibu, had a gunshot injury to his left eye. The bullet, found in his skull during an X-ray, had ruptured it, and our veterinary experts had to surgically remove the entire eye. After six weeks of care, Rocky was released back to his ocean home.
Sometimes gunshot injuries are diagnosed as incidental findings, found via X-ray, but they aren’t the reason why the patient needs care and aren’t really causing a problem for them. This was the case for Confetti, an adult male California sea lion who was treated for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys. Skull X-rays taken during Confetti’s initial exams showed that he had two bullets in his head, but he showed no abnormal neurological signs or other damage. Once his infection was treated and his health improved, Confetti returned to the wild.
Many animals are not so lucky as the bullets penetrate critical structures, going into their brain or heart, and causing a life-threatening or life-ending injury. In those cases, our veterinary experts often end up finding the bullets on necropsy, or animal autopsy, after the patient has passed away. This post-mortem research is important because we’re still able to learn how humans are impacting these animals even when they don’t make it through rehabilitation.
Marine mammals are federally protected animals, which means no one is allowed to touch them, interact with them or harm them in any way, and certainly not to kill them. The governing agency for the Marine Mammal Protection Act, NOAA, has an enforcement division that investigates these incidents.
If you see marine mammals being harassed, take out your phone (if it’s safe to do so) and film it or take photos.
Marine Mammal Care Center has launched a reward fund that will provide $10,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the prosecution of someone shooting a marine mammal. It’s the eyes on the beach, on the docks and the marinas that will be the key to stopping gun violence toward marine mammals.
You can help ensure a healthier ocean for marine mammals and humans alike by taking action in your everyday life.
Use Your Voice
Vote with the environment in mind. Discuss the importance of conservation and marine mammal protection with friends, neighbors and local leadership. Research candidates’ stances on the topic before heading to the polls.
Eat More Plants
Go meatless at least one day a week. Reducing meat intake lowers your carbon footprint and can help slow global warming.
Share the Shore
Give resting marine mammals space by maintaining a safe distance of at least 50 feet and keeping pets on a leash. Use the zoom on your camera rather than approaching for a selfie. Call 1-800-39-WHALE to report sick or injured animals.
Together with ocean heroes like you, we can make a difference. Your generosity not only provides marine mammals with a second chance at life but also supports conservation education programs that inspire future ocean stewards.
