Send Ziggy Star Off in Style! (northern fur seal, a threatened species )

[Omaha Steve]

http://tmmc.marinemammalcenter.org/site/MessageViewer?dlv_id=24462&em_id=17542.0#.UxVIn85AfjI





Northern fur seal Ziggy Star is a true star at The Marine Mammal Center.
Photo by Ingrid Overgard © The Marine Mammal Center.


Dear Friend,

Did you know that northern fur seal Ziggy Star is just a few weeks away from starting her new life at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut?

As the final preparations get underway, The Marine Mammal Center and the accredited Mystic Aquarium have teamed up to pay for Ziggy's special transportation needs. Help us raise $3,500 toward her flight and give her the send-off she deserves by making a gift today!

As you may know, Ziggy Star has been at the Center in Sausalito since April 2013, which is a long time compared to most of our patients. She is a mature adult northern fur seal, a threatened species listed under the Endangered Species Act, who was found collapsed on a beach on the Mendocino coast, severely emaciated and barely alive.

During her rehabilitation, our veterinarians discovered that Ziggy Star suffers from a serious neurological condition, cerebral demyelination, that causes her to have poor coordination and difficulty processing images correctly, but she is otherwise healthy. However, she cannot survive in the wild, so during the past year, a search was mounted for a permanent home where Ziggy can receive professional care and live a healthy life as an ambassador for her species.

In the next few weeks, Ziggy Star will travel to her new home... But just how do you transport a seal over 3,000 miles?

Our Stranding Manager, Shelbi Stoudt, explains the process. "Non-releasable rehabilitated marine mammals are typically transported cross-country to their new homes by FedEx cargo planes. The animal is put in a specially made crate and driven to the airport, usually in the middle of the night as it is quieter and cooler for the animal. Once at the airport, the crate is loaded and secured closest to the front of the plane, and two trained human handlers travel and stay with the animal at all times."

You can help us raise $3,500 toward Ziggy Star's flight and send her off in style!

Ziggy Star has become an unforgettable patient at the Center. During her time here, she's befriended numerous pen-mates and become a favorite of visitors, volunteers and staff alike. I think you'll agree, she has stolen all of our hearts - you even voted her Patient of the Year! She will be missed here in California, but we know that she will have a full life at her new home in Connecticut.

Read about Ziggy Star and her time at The Marine Mammal Center.

Thanks for all of your support and well wishes for Ziggy Star! We couldn't have helped her without you.

Jeff Boehm

Dr. Jeff Boehm
Executive Director
The Marine Mammal Center


P.S. Please make your donation by Sunday, March 9, to help fund Ziggy Star's flight to Mystic!

[UtahLib]

1. Such a sweet little face. nt

[Tree-Hugger]

2. What a beautiful and sweet little face

Best name ever, btw.

Good luck to her.

[BrotherIvan]

3. Donated for her safe trip!

Wish I could have met her. Big kudos to her rescuers and the people who brought her back to health.

[Omaha Steve]

4. Marta and I did too

It is a good cause.

[BrotherIvan]

5. Most definitely

Since humans are screwing up the oceans at an alarming rate, they're going to need all the help they can get. When we were in Fiji last year, I was talking with a guy who is trying to help protect sharks from the boats that catch them, slice off their fins, and throw them back. It's absolutely disgusting. And it is rapidly changing the balance of the fish to predators in the area. Not to mention all the toxic filthy we dump in the water. It's so very sad and I don't see a big improvement coming any time soon.