Because they are mammals, they get diseases similar to those found in humans, such as pneumonia, cancer, bacterial infections, and viral infections. For example, sea lions get leptospirosis, a bacterial infection similar to the one cats and dogs are vaccinated against. They are often infested by lung, heart and gastrointestinal parasites. Injuries include natural ones, inflicted by other sea lions or their predators.

California sea lions have always frequented the San Francisco Bay, especially during the winter months when herring spawn in the bay. The Marine Mammal Center’s biologists believe that the California sea lions have chosen to haul out at PIER 39's K dock because there is plenty of food nearby in the bay and ocean, their natural predators (great white sharks and orcas) do not come in the Bay, and there is plenty of space.

Yes and no. From late summer to late spring, 150-300 sea lions haul out here. In June and July, most of the sea lions head south to breeding grounds on the Channel Islands, but a few dozen have remained throughout the summer in recent years. In late July, non-breeding subadult males and females begin to migrate north again. Other breeding males travel north later. Some males migrate as far north as British Columbia, Canada, and Alaska.

Some sea lions are permanently branded by researchers, who want to track them throughout their lives. A few branded sea lions can provide a wealth of information about range, behavior and life history. Tags are not as reliable as brands because, they may fall off or their numbers may wear off. Additionally, brands are easier to see than flipper tags.

Males are sexually mature when they are about four to five years old, females when they are three to four years old. Males however, may not mate until they are 8-10 years old; when they are fully grown, more experienced, and can hold a breeding territory.

Sea lions do not mate for life. Females often mate with the male who is holding the breeding territory, where they give birth. She also may seek out another male she prefers. She can mate with more than one male in a breeding season. Dominant males that hold breeding territories typically mate with up to 40 females each breeding season. In subsequent seasons, other males may hold the territories. Males can grow up to about 1000 pounds; they reach full size after about 10 years.

In California, one commonly sees California sea lions and Pacific harbor seals. According to federal population estimates (1995), there are approximately 161,000 to 181,000 California sea lions on the west coast. They give birth and breed primarily at the southern California Channel Islands from May to July.

The Navy has an excellent website on its Marine Mammal Program. Visit http://spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/ for more information.

Yes. Handicrafts are defined as items that are not mass produced and are significantly altered from the raw or tanned skin form. Handicrafts can be sold to Alaska Natives and the general public. However, restrictions exist for the export of handicrafts containing Steller sea lion parts from the United States. For more information click here.

The sea lions have pretty much learned that K dock is theirs and until 1995 rarely hauled out on other docks. Boat owners on other docks have been asked to discourage them from hauling out by using “herding boards” or large garbage cans on wheels to push the sea lions back into the water. In 1995, old dock sections of K dock, which sat lower in the water, were removed. At that time, a few California sea lions began hauling out on J dock.

Yes, it is possible that you or other mammals could catch something from a sea lion if they have a contagious disease and you touch them, their feces or are bitten. However, over the more than 30 years that marine mammals have been in captivity, very few cases have been recorded of humans catching something from marine mammals. Prior to 1995, The Center rescued seven sea lions at PIER 39's K dock. However, it is extremely difficult to rescue a sea lion off these docks.

The average animal stays at The Center one to three months. Approximately 50% of the animals treated for more than 24 hours by The Center are released back to the wild.

Yes. When you see a trained “seal” at the circus, you are most likely seeing a trained sea lion. Sea lions are quick to learn new things, and can move more easily on land than seals can.

We study diseases that generally are not found in the United States but cause great harm in other parts of the world. Studies are done on malaria, dengue fever, leishmaniasis, types of hepatitis, infectious diarrheas, and HIV to name some of the diseases.

Diarrhea and influenza are the most common sicknesses which you may encounter during your travel. Nevertheless, we advise you to be current on your Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Polio vaccinations before traveling. Please find below a few institutions you may directly contact for Burmese language lessons. The length of period for learning Burmese really depends on each individual. Basic day-to-day conversation Burmese lesson can usually be done in a week.

A wide variety of parasites can cause problems in fish. Fish will usually scratch along gravel or rocks and, in some cases, show jerky movements trying to rid themselves of the irritation. The most common parasite found in fish is caused by Ichthyophthirius, often referred to as "ICK." Medication should begin immediately and carried on for the full number of days recommended even if the spots disappear before treatment is completed.

There are no U.S. Government restrictions on the taking of Steller sea lions for coastal Alaska Native subsistence as long as such practices do not contribute to the demise of the species. However, any Alaska Native Tribal Government has the ability to develop regulations on when and where hunts may occur. It is important to check with the local tribal government to see if any regulations exist.

The Channel Islands are 370 miles by land from San Francisco, off the coast of Santa Barbara. If a sea lion swam at maximum speed (25 mph), the trip would take it approximately 15 hours. However, sea lions don't swim at maximum speed; they take their time. It probably takes them a few days.

Most dives are only a few minutes long, but California sea lions can stay under water 10 to 15 minutes.

No, there are about 160,000 in the California population. Including California sea lions breeding in Mexico and the Galapagos sea lion, the total worldwide population is approximately 200,000. In the U.S., they are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. The Steller sea lion, which also occurs in California and occasionally at PIER 39, is listed as threatened and endangered.

Because sea lions like to eat fish and are curious and often unafraid of humans, they have been known to follow fishing boats, ruin fishing gear and steal the catch. Fishermen obviously do not like this and some do shoot sea lions. It is illegal for fishermen to shoot sea lions. Fishermen are required to try other methods to scare off the sea lions. Anyone caught illegally shooting sea lions will be tried in federal court.

LIONS are individual people just like you, who are Community ? minded, Service-oriented and have responsibility for the community.

The dolphins locate and mark the location of sea mines which are designed to be set off by large ships, not aquatic animals. In the swimmer detection program, dolphins and sea lions move so quickly and with such accuracy that human swimmers in dark or murky waters are located and marked before they know what has happened. Once the marking has been completed, the animals are removed from the area before mines are disarmed or swimmers are apprehended by trained security forces.

Acupuncture is most commonly used for pain, such as back, neck and spine pain, herniated discs, nerve irritation, sciatica, headache, facial pain, jaw pain (TMJ), menstrual pain, arthritis, sprains, muscle strain, repetitive strain injuries, tendonitis, sports or auto injury. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are also very effective for viral infections such as colds/flu’s and hepatitis.

Mosquitoes transmit many important diseases, such as yellow fever and malaria. In Colorado, important mosquito borne diseases include West Nile virus, western equine encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis, and heartworm in dogs.

Wild turkeys are subject to many infectious and non-infectious diseases and parasitical infections. Some of these are relatively innocuous, while others are very severe. Some of the most important are as follows: Avian pox: This is an infectious, contagious viral disease, occurring mostly in the southeastern United States, but probably found throughout the eastern turkey's range. The most important means of transmission is by mosquitoes and other blood-sucking arthropods.

This is difficult to say concisely, other than this field of study is wide open for any School of Knowledge. For example, in Anti-Aging Medicine, through diet, supplements and medications we can prevent Type 2 diabetes. We are also exploring high blood pressure, high cholesterol, muscle wasting and aging, arthritis, obesity, heart problems, stroke, and Alzheimer disease. As you can see, Anti-Aging Medicine has the potential to help heal or prevent many diseases.

Wildlife diseases do not appear to play a major role in morbidity and mortality of black bear populations. However, routine surveillance is lacking. Bears in Idaho showed antibodies for tularemia (19%), Q-fever (6%), brucellosis (5%), leptospirosis (1%), and other pathogens but none showed serious clinical signs of the diseases. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bears showed antibodies for Leptospira sp. (22%), but tested negative for brucellosis and canine distemper.

Medical researchers believe that SCNT could lead to cures for many currently incurable or common diseases and injuries, including diabetes, Parkinson's, MS, cancer, heart disease, ALS, sickle cell disease, spinal cord injury and dozens of other debilitating medical conditions. For more examples, please see the "Diseases and Injuries" section of our website.