September 07, 2023
Vancouver, B.C. - The Vancouver Aquarium is excited to announce the establishment of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) as a newly registered charity. VAMMR is an independent registered charity proud to be working in partnership with the Vancouver Aquarium. Donations will go directly to VAMMR and help rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals in distress.
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“For more than 60 years, the VAMMR program has rescued, rehabilitated and released thousands of marine animals, including seals, sea otters, turtles, porpoises, and sea lions,” said VAMMR Executive Director Dr. Martin Haulena. "We also respond to medical emergencies in the field, including disentangling marine mammals caught in fishing gear or plastic. No one else in Canada, and few facilities around the world, have the skills and expertise our team does to help in these situations."
Internationally renowned for groundbreaking rescue techniques and veterinary innovation, VAMMR responds to over 300 marine mammal emergencies annually and runs Canada's only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility.
"Getting our charitable status is a significant milestone in our history," said Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Manager Lindsaye Akhurst. "With the support of our donors, we will be able to give even more marine mammals a second chance at life."
It is important to remember that it is normal to see marine mammals inhabiting our local waters, and while they may look approachable, they are wild animals. If you observe a marine mammal, you suspect it needs assistance, please keep people and pets back and call the Department of Fisheries and Oceans or VAMMR. Members of the public are encouraged to call the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada incident reporting hotline at 1-800-465-4336 for any other marine mammal incidences or VAMMR at 604. 258. SEAL (7325). You can provide support for VAMMR by going to www.vammr.org.
For more information:
Todd Hauptman, Communications Manager
604-376-2252
Since opening in 1956, the Vancouver Aquarium has connected more than 40 million people from around the world to our oceans and inspired them to take action to address key threats. Located in Stanley Park, the Vancouver Aquarium is home to hundreds of incredible species. The Vancouver Aquarium is a fully accredited member of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), and Humane Conservation Certified by American Humane.
About Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society
Internationally renowned for it's groundbreaking stranded marine mammal medical program, the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society (VAMMR) responds to over 300 marine mammal emergencies annually and runs Canada's only dedicated marine mammal hospital facility. Over the 60 years in operation, VAMMR has successfully rescued and rehabilitated over 3000 marine mammals.
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