"Our caseload is the highest of any marine mammal rehab facility in the country," said Van Bonn.
"We cover the California coastline for over 600 miles, from down by San Luis Obispo to Mendocino County."
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(L-R) Veterinarian Dr. Bill Van Bonn, associate veterinarian Rebecca Greene, and Sarah Smith, vet intern from Colorado State, carry a sedated elephant seal named Voodoo, into the x-ray and echocardiogram room for exams at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, Calif.
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A baby elephant seal is subdued in order to take a blood sample. Many of the seals have been separated from their mothers at an early age. Many are rescued malnourished, injured or deformed from the uncertainties of being so young and alone in the ocean.
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Volunteers and workers subdue baby elephant seals in order to perform health exams like listening to lungs, measuring length and examining wounds and body condition.
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Part of a food chain display hangs at The Marine Mammal Center.
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Veterinarian Dr. Bill Van Bonn (L-R), associate veterinarian Rebecca Greene, vet intern Ellen Kotlarz, echocardiographer Marjorie Boor (center), vet intern Sarah Smith and an other staff members watch as an echocardiogram is preformed on an elephant seal.
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Veterinarian Dr. Bill Van Bonn looks for deformities in an elephant seal's xray.
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A weakened young elephant seal seen through the bars of its pen where it is receiving treatment.The green marker on its head is used to identify the patient to insure the right treatment and medicine is administered.
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Alice D'Amore (L) and Kim Wojick (R) hold down a sea lion as associate veterinarian Rebecca Greene takes blood samples.
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Sea lions Kito and Jannicka swim in a pool before being coaxed out for blood samples. When they reach 45 pounds, they will be put back in the ocean.
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