The numbers of pinnipeds rescued and brought to The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) in northern California were increased drastically during the 1992 El Nino. The largest number of pinnipeds brought to TMMC previously was 417 admitted in 1991. In 1992 there were 457 California sea lions (Zalo hus californianus) 22 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), 136 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) 174 northern elephant seals, two stellar sea lions (Eumgtopias jubata) and two Guadalupe fur seals (Artocephalus philippi) for a total of 793 pinnipeds admitted to TMMC that year. The El Nino events seem to cause pinnipeds to congregate in unnatural groupings, possibly leading to an increase of disease and parasite infestations. The most common reason sea lions and fur seals were admitted was emaciation. Most of the harbor seals and elephant seals admitted to TMMC stranded because they were orphaned pups. Table I shows the 1992 animals listed by the general stranding causes. Table 2 shows the species that stranded by age class.

Table 1.

Table 2.