Center Nurses Stranded Sea Mammals to Health

In spring, recently weaned elephant seal pups, which have been unable to learn to forage for themselves or are sick or injured, may start appearing in larger numbers on local beaches. The weakened seals are often taken by animal control agencies to the Marine Mammal Care Center at Ft. MacArthur in San Pedro.

The center is the official National Marine Fisheries receiving site for stranded seals and sea lions. The mostly volunteer staff takes in the animals, nurses them back to health and returns them to the wild. Visitors to the center can observe the workers as they examine the pups, feed and prepare them for release.

The elephant seal pups, which normally weigh between 125 and 150 pounds, can weigh as little as 70 to 80 pounds when they are brought to the center. Although most of the animals at the facility are juveniles, volunteers also help rehabilitate adults.

The center, which is a kind of M.A.S.H. unit for marine mammals, currently has about 10 to 15 Northern elephant seal pups, 10 to 15 California sea lion pups and five to six harbor seal juveniles on hand.

The center is open to the public seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (310) 548-5677.

ASTRONOMY AND PHYSICS

* New evidence that Mars at one time had water will be discussed by Tim Parker, of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars Observer Project, in “The Martian Seas of Long Ago” at the Santa Monica College astronomy program 8 p.m. Friday in Room 105 of the business building. The lecture follows the weekly Night Sky Show at 7 p.m. Call (310) 452-9396.

* Many women have contributed to astronomy, yet their names are almost unknown. Presenter Colleen Gino will explore their contributions in “Women and Astronomy,” at the Los Angeles Valley College Planetarium program at 8 p.m. Friday. Call (818) 781-1200, Ext. 335.

* Caltech physics professor Kip Thorne will discuss “Black Holes and Time Warps: Einstein’s Outrageous Legacy,” in the radio broadcast of “Airtalk: The Caltech Edition,” on KPCC-FM, 89.3 at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Listeners can phone in at (818) 793-3667 or (818) 798-2489.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

* Animals from the Wildlife Waystation, animal shows, a petting zoo, exhibits and educational activities will highlight the third annual Animal Fair at the William S. Hart Regional Park in Santa Clarita from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call (805) 259-0855.

* Children and their families can help celebrate International Museum Day at Kidspace Museum from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Ehibits will be transformed into “Critter Caverns Natural History Museum” and the “Eco-Beach Marine Museum,” among others. Children ages 6 and older can investigate the origins of early language in workshops led by archeologist Claudia B. Ocello at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The museum will teach children 5 and older about the qualities of water during the weekend. On Saturday, children can experiment with sea sponges and natural fibers to learn the secrets of storing water at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Water cycles, from clouds to rain to water down the drain, will be examined in workshops on Sunday at 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Call (818) 449-9144 for all Kidspace events.

HEALTH/MEDICINE

* UCLA Medical Center will be hosting a public conference designed to help women sort through the latest information on illness prevention, cancer risks, mental health issues, infertility and other health concerns of women in “Total Health for Women,” at the Sunset Village Conference Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Call (800) UCLA-MD1.