Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance - OARRA, Los Angeles, CA (2026)

08/13/2026

While conducting a marine wildlife survey off San Pedro, our team spotted what appeared to be a lifeless bird floating among the kelp. As we passed, it suddenly lifted its head and gasped for air.

Without hesitation, we turned the boat around. Lisa carefully lifted the exhausted juvenile Yellow-crowned Night Heron from the water, and our team spent the rest of the survey warming and caring for the bird before transporting it to the dedicated team at the International Bird Rescue.

We nicknamed the bird Chance because we happened to be in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. Sadly, despite everyone's best efforts at International Bird Rescue in San Pedro, Chance passed away overnight from injuries that were ultimately too severe.

Not every rescue has a happy ending. But every life deserves a chance.

Whether it's a whale, sea lion, seabird, or a young heron swept into the ocean, we'll always answer the call. That's what we do at OARRA. 💙

08/12/2026

During our July 16 survey, OARRA documented flipper-tagged California sea lion X0753 resting on the Redondo Beach Sea Lion Barge. We are nicknaming her Moon after the beach she was originally rescued from back in February on Moon Beach.

Earlier this year, Moon was rescued as a malnourished pup weighing just 14 kg. After rehabilitation, she was released at 33 kg and has now been successfully re-sighted more than three months later as a healthy yearling.

The re-sighting of Moon approximately 99 days after release indicates successful post-release survival following rehabilitation for severe malnutrition. The animal, now a yearling (she turned a yearling on her birthday of 6/15/26), was observed utilizing a known haul-out site with other California sea lions, suggesting normal post-release behavior.

Continued sightings of this individual will contribute valuable information on rehabilitation outcomes, survivorship, and site fidelity of rehabilitated California sea lions in Southern California.

08/05/2026

A child's curiosity can spark a lifelong passion for conservation. Whether it's spotting a sea lion at the beach, learning about whales, or asking questions about the tide pools, every experience helps build a deeper connection to our oceans.

By teaching little ones to respect marine wildlife and care for the environment, we're helping create a future where our oceans and the animals that call them home can thrive.

What inspired your love for the ocean? Share your story in the comments! 🐋🐢

07/31/2026

Every sighting, every survey, every rescue, and every breakthrough begins with people who care.

Your support fuels marine mammal response efforts, wildlife health investigations, community science programs, and the training of future marine conservation leaders.

As one of the few organizations in the nation-and the only organization in Los Angeles County-focused exclusively on marine mammal mortality investigations and ocean health research, OARRA relies on community support to continue this critical work.

Every animal has a story to tell. Your support helps us uncover those stories and transform them into science that protects both ocean and human health.

💙 Help us respond to the next marine mammal stranding, train future ocean scientists, and uncover the stories our oceans are telling us.

Donate today: https://loom.ly/sHSl82k

07/30/2026

Meet one of the newest faces we've spotted in the field! This 2-year-old female California brown pelican was recorded by during our June 5, 2026, survey in Dana Point. She was banded on August 9, 2025, near San Pedro by the , allowing researchers to track her movements and learn more about California's pelican population.

Now it's your turn to help! This young pelican needs a nickname.

Vote for your favorite:
💙 Cove
🌊 Skipper
☀️ Piper

Cast your vote in the comments! 👇

07/25/2026

Meet Emma! 🦭 She's a Marine Science student who first discovered OARRA through Orange Coast College's Marine Mammal Research Group. She's passionate about protecting marine wildlife and learning more about how marine mammal research is conducted in the field.

One of her favorite OARRA moments was seeing how harbor seals in the LA Harbor remained cautious around people.

💙 "It means they're not desensitized to humans, which is good and made me happy."

Her advice for future volunteers: ✨ "Everyone in the field is super nice, so just don’t be shy!"

Thank you, Emma, for being part of the OARRA team!

07/23/2026

June & July Mean One Thing: California Sea Lion Pupping Season! ☀️🌊

Our coastline is welcoming a new generation of California sea lions! Every summer, thousands of pups are born during a carefully timed pupping season that gives them the best chance to grow strong, socialize with other pups, and take advantage of seasonal food availability.

If you're lucky enough to spot a pup, admire from a distance and help give these little ones the peaceful start they need. 💙

07/16/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the Port of Long Beach for their continued partnership and support of OARRA. 💙

Their sponsorship helps sustain OARRA's Survey & Monitoring Program and STEM Education Outreach, advancing marine science, inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards, and protecting the incredible wildlife and ecosystems that make our Southern California coastline so special.

Together, we're making a lasting impact. 🌊🐋

07/15/2026

Every sighting, every survey, every rescue, and every breakthrough begins with people who care.

Your support fuels marine mammal response efforts, wildlife health investigations, community science programs, and the training of future marine conservation leaders.

As one of the few organizations in the nation-and the only organization in Los Angeles County-focused exclusively on marine mammal mortality investigations and ocean health research, OARRA relies on community support to continue this critical work.

Every animal has a story to tell. Your support helps us uncover those stories and transform them into science that protects both ocean and human health.

💙 Help us respond to the next marine mammal stranding, train future ocean scientists, and uncover the stories our oceans are telling us.

Donate today
https://loom.ly/sHSl82k

07/11/2026

🌊 Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Kaysha! 🐋

Kaysha is the Marine Restoration Director at OC Coastkeeper and volunteers with OARRA to gain hands-on experience working with marine mammals. Since joining the team, she's helped conduct necropsies, learned whale anatomy, and contributed to marine mammal research.

One of her favorite memories was encountering a humpback whale during a live animal survey. Her advice? "Say yes to everything. Any opportunity that comes your way is a chance to get involved and leads you to so many other opportunities."

Thank you, Kaysha, for being part of the OARRA team! 💙

Ocean Animal Response and Research Alliance - OARRA

08/13/2026

08/12/2026

08/05/2026

07/31/2026

07/30/2026

07/25/2026

07/23/2026

07/16/2026

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07/11/2026

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