| Key Activities | 🛟 Rescue • 🏥 Rehabilitation • 📚 Public Education |
|---|---|
| Location | 424 Howe Dr., Crescent City, CA 95531, USA |
| Seal Hotline | +1 707-951-4722 |
| Website | https://northcoastmmc.org/ |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Species | Northern elephant seal • California sea lion • harbor seal • Northern fur seal • Guadalupe fur seal • Steller sea lion |
| Rehab & Release | ✔ |
| Sanctuary | ✖ |
| Open to Public | ✔ |
| How to Help | Donate • Volunteer |
Founded in 1984 by veterinarian Dr. Dennis Wood, the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center is a non-profit organization committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine mammals along over 200 miles of rugged Northern California coastline. Located in Crescent City, just steps from the Battery Point Lighthouse, the center plays a vital role in ocean conservation through hands-on care and public education.
Operating under a stranding agreement with NOAA Fisheries, the team is authorized to respond to seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and even whales found in distress – whether stranded, sick, injured, or entangled. Their work extends beyond traditional rescue, with some of the team specially trained to assist with entangled whales in offshore settings.
Originally constructed with the help of the California Conservation Corps, the center continues to rely on a dedicated network of volunteers and donations to keep its mission alive. Visitors to Crescent City can glimpse animals undergoing care, and even when the main building is closed, informative displays and public viewing areas offer a meaningful connection to the animals and the efforts behind their recovery.