MMR Marine Mammal Rescue Centre Patient Directory

Ralphie

Patient Record

Species: California Sea Lion

Patient ID: ZC2001

Admitted on: 2020/12/23

Collection Site: Ucluelet

Reason for Admission: Injuries

Weight at Admission: 250 kg

Patient Status: deceased

Date of Death: 2021/01/29

Time in Care: 37 days (1 month, 6 days)

Transfer History

Received from: (Direct to MMR)

Mode of Transport: BC Ferries, MMR Ambulance

Story

The rescue centre was alerted to Ralphie's plight by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He animal was unable to move off an active dock in Tofino as he was impaled in lower abdomen/pelvic area by a 1-inch bolt that was attached to the dock. The rescue centre team darted him and had to use a reciprocating saw to saw the bolt off the dock and free him. Ralphie was then transported to the rescue centre to stabilize and monitor him. He will possibly require further procedures, but is responding well to treatment and staff are optimistic about his recovery.

Patient Updates

Ralphie died on 2021/01/29 after 37 days in our care.

"Ralphie had initially made good progress and things were looking more positively. More recently, however, he stopped eating and while he did seem more interested in food again yesterday, he passed away over night. A necropsy will be conducted."

Ralphie is recovering well from his second surgery that was performed last week. He is actively swimming between his pools and has a voracious appetite.

Ralphie is finally eating, which is a very encouraging sign!

Ralphie has shown a little more appetite. He ate a few fish yesterday and seemed interested in fish today, too.

Ralphie is not eating as well as we would like and still very much a "work in progress". He is on pain medication, and while he doesn’t seem to be in a lot of pain, he is likely uncomfortable some days. The care team are doing their best for Ralphie.

Guestbook for Ralphie

  1. Welcome, Ralphie ❤ You are in the best hands! I hope you have a rapid recovery and will have a happy Christmas story to tell your friends 😉

  2. Hi Ralphie, wishing you a speedy recovery. You have the best people looking after you.
    Merry Christmas everyone. 🎅🎄☃️🇦🇺

  3. Hope you recover very soon Ralphie!
    Happy you were rescued by MMRC ❤ you are in the best hands!

  4. You are safe now Ralphie. I hope you make a recovery soon and are able to return to your ocean life. ❤

  5. Welcome Ralphie! Sending you extra special prayers for a quick recovery! You are in the best care possible! Bless you all @ MMRC !

  6. Sweet Ralphie, you are in good hands at the MMRC. I’m thankful you have been rescued! I’ll be thinking of you and I hope you have a rapid recovery <3

  9. Hi sweet Ralphie. You’re so blessed to be with these amazing people. They’ll give you the best care, love, and you’ll be safe. Rest and recover sweet boy.❤

  10. Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery, Ralphie!! I am so glad you are in the capable and loving hands of MMRC and you have a squad of cheerleaders championing your healing!!

  11. Sending gentle “hugs” to Ralphie. Thank-You and best wishes to the MMRC staff handling this emergency.

  12. Ralphie,
    I pray that you become a Christmas miracle and have a speedy recovery. I am so sorry you are injured but I know you are going to have top notch care. Thank you @MMRC for being the hero’s for rescuing all Marine Mammals.

  15. Love you Ralphie! I’m sure you’ll be on the mend and back home in no time thanks to the great carers at MMRC! Love you 🥰

  17. Thinking of you and wishing you a very speedy recovery, dear Ralphie. You will be back on your flippers soon! Sending you lots of love.

  18. Ralphie I hope you are feeling much better now that you’re in the caring hands of MMRC. May you recover quickly and get back home soon. 🌊 🦁 ❤️

  19. Aw, I just read he doesn’t want to eat, tell him he needs to eat so he can be strong. He might like having chats with the caregivers. Feel better Ralphie!

  20. Best wishes and prayers for your recovery, dear Ralphie!🙏🏽💜 Deepest appreciation for all the dedicated, excellent staff caring for you💜🙏🏽

  23. You’re in a safe place Ralphie, and in the best care possible! I wish you a speedy recovery; and hope you make some new friends along the way! ❤️❤️❤️

  27. Ralphie,
    You are getting the best of care, I know. Hope you are healed and home quickly.

  28. Oh sweet Ralphie, you are in great care, please eat so you will get strong. Saint Francis is with you.

  29. Bless you Ralphie. The MMRC will take care of you in the best ways possible. I heard you ate today–good boy!

  30. Get well soon Ralph! I heard you have started eating which is great news. MMRC will take the best care of you. I am sending you love, strength, positive and healthy thoughts. Be well my friend and know that you are loved.

  32. Keep it up Ralphie! Keep eating and getting strong! Prayers for you to recover more each day! Big wet hugs! <3

  33. All the best on a speedy recovery, Ralphie! You’re in good hands now. Bless you and the staff at Vanaqua for all they do for the animals/mammals.

  36. Don’t be afraid, Ralphie. These are good people. Your injury wouldn’t be on your tongue, would it? Speedy recovery and return.

  37. Wishing you a very speedy recovery Ralphie! So happy that you were rescued – you are in the best hands under MMRC’s care, and hope you fully recover from your injuries. Thank you to all the caregivers at MMRC for your continued dedication, love, and commitment to Ralphie and the other rescued mammals.

  40. Ralphie, we are rooting for you! I’m so glad you got rescued by MMRC. Please keep eating, and I wish you a speedy recovery.

  41. LOOKING GREAT RALPHIE! Keep it up! Prayers for you to keep it going and get there..day by day <3 much love <3

  42. Sweet Ralphie, sending you good vibes for health and a speedy recovery! You are in very good hands.

  46. You are in the best hands Ralphie!! Get well soon and you’ll be back in the ocean before we know!

  48. Precious Ralphie, just know there are thousands of us rooting for you & praying you will recover quickly & be able to return to the ocean soon! You are sooo loved little guy & in the best care ever!!💙 MMRC you rock!! 👏👏

  50. Ralphie…please eat sweetie! a little at a time….baby steps! get well Ralphie! we all are praying for you <3

  51. bless you Ralphie, hang in there! you’re in my thoughts and prayers. wishing you a smooth recovery ♥

  53. Hi Ralphie!!! Sweet boy, I hope you keep feeling like eating your fishes. They will make you strong and feel better. Healthy, healing, positive thoughts and lots of love are coming your way!

  54. Yay Ralphie! 👏 👏 👏 what a great sign that you are eating. And you look like a much happier camper. Keep it up Ralphie ❤️

  56. Good job Ralphie! I came to check on you & see your getting your appetite back which is great news. Hope you eat lots of fishes and get better and stronger soon. I can tell you are full of personality from your pictures so keep up the good work sweet boy!

  57. Yay Ralphie. Keep going beautiful boy. You’re in my prayers.
    Thank you MMRC for all that you do.

  58. What a nice Name, I had to support you. 🙂
    Get well little sea lion and many thanks to all the people at MMRC!

  63. hello handsome! you look fabulous! so glad that you’re getting better! go Ralphie! <3 😀

  64. I heard you had your 2nd surgery on Thursday and that you’re sleepy but doing well. I hope thats the case & the surgery helps you heal and feel better very very soon. I hope you got a good nights sleep and you have a Good Friday! Keep eating your fishes and getting stronger okay?

  66. Hi sweet Ralphie! You’re always in my prayers! Hope you’re having a great day..and enjoying many nom noms! <3

  68. Oh goodness Ralphie. I heard you passed away today which makes me so sad. I’m so sorry but I hear Sea Lion Heaven is pretty fabulous place. Be at peace my friend

  70. I’m shattered, you were doing so well. Rest in peace sweet Ralphie. You’re no longer in pain. Swim free and be happy in heaven <3

  71. Such sad news to learn today that Ralphie didn’t make it. Thanks to all the staff for giving him your best efforts. R.I.P. Sweetheart.

  73. Dearest Ralphie, we will miss you but we are glad that you are no longer in pain. You fought so hard and we love you so much. See you over the rainbow bridge!

  75. Rest in peace Ralphie! Know you are loved and made this world a better place. xoxoxo

If you would like to share a story about Ralphie or leave any comments or well wishes, this is the place to do it.

Your email address is recorded to respond to your comment and to detect spam, but it will not be published, used for any other reason or given to any third parties.