Marine Mammal Institute - Oregon State University

Our very own Celest Sorrentino will be defending her master’s thesis this Thursday! Celest first started in the GEMM lab several years ago as an intern and has moved up to studying mother/calf baleen whale relationships and leading the TOPAZ/JASPER project in Port Orford. We are so proud of her! ☺️Please join us in person or via zoom to hear all about her work!

Congratulations to Dr. KC Bierlich, recipient of the Bill Samaras Research Grant from American Cetacean Society - Los Angeles Chapter (ACS/LA)! KC uses drone imagery and genetic sampling to better understand gray whale population structure along the Pacific Coast. His work will provide valuable insights into the relationships between different gray whale groups and help inform future conservation efforts.

We had fun today sharing our enthusiasm for marine science with OSU undergrads. Thanks to Marine and Coastal Opportunities - Oregon State University for organizing this World Ocean Day celebration!

Hidden in baleen, tusks, and whiskers is a timeline of life in the ocean. By reading these biological records, Associate Professor Kathleen Hunt can track stress, reproduction, and environmental change. But science doesn't happen overnight — it has taken years of careful validation to show how powerful this method can be. Read about Dr. Hunt’s “eureka moment” in this article from Nature.

Meet the biologists deciphering marine-mammal histories from baleen, whiskers and tusks The nascent field of wildlife endocrinology is upending scientists’ understanding of pregnancies and stress

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! ❤️🦭❤️ It’s pupping season. Get yourself a good pair of binoculars and appreciate nature’s cycles from a respectful distance. 

Heading to the coast this holiday weekend? Be sure to keep your distance from harbor seals and their pups that you may find along shorelines.

Harbor seals intentionally leave their pups on shore while the adults are away feeding. During that time the pups are resting and keeping warm - it’s much warmer on the shore than it is in the Pacific Ocean! Seeing a seal pup alone doesn't usually mean there is something wrong.

Remember to never approach, feed, or disturb harbor seals or their pups. It is a violation of federal law to harass seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals. Share the Shore with seals and sea lions by watching marine mammals in a safe, responsible way. Follow these tips from NOAA Fisheries West Coast !

-Give them space: NOAA recommends you keep yourself and your pets at least 100 yards (the length of a football field) from seals to make sure you're not disrupting them.
-Be considerate of mothers and pups: Moms may not return if humans are too close to the pup onshore. Keep your distance so mom can return to care for her pup.
-Keep pets away and on a leash: Pets can disturb or harm wildlife, or may separate mothers from their pups.
-Report strandings: If you see an obviously injured, stranded, or dead animal please call NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 866-767-6114.

Learn more at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/share-shore-watch-marine-mammals-responsibly

📷 WDFW

The blue whale skeleton is complete. We are left speechless.

You are invited to come to OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center to experience the magnificence of this animal in person. The area immediately around the whale will continue to be cordoned off until landscaping and permanent signage are complete. A public celebration is being planned for later this summer.

The HMSC campus is open to the public, with business hours of operation from Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. The tsunami evacuation ramp is open from dawn until dusk. The Visitor Center is open daily for summer hours starting Memorial Day, 10 AM to 5 PM.

The deepest thanks to all who contributed to this effort and gave this blue whale a second life as an ambassador of the oceans. For more information about this project, and to contribute to the MMI Whale Preservation and Education Fund, visit beav.es/bones.

Collection and display of this skeleton was authorized by NMFS MMPA/ESA Permit Nos. 18786 and 23092.

Meanwhile… research and education continues!

Just the right pectoral fin remaining!
Watch it live at beav.es/bones!