210 - Dragons, Orcs & Elephant Seals, oh my!

About this episode

The episode discusses elephant seals and their conservation challenges with guest Adam Ratner from The Marine Mammal Center.

You know the term ‘big baby’, but what about a 75-pound newborn that sounds like a velociraptor? Listen in as we chat with The Marine Mammal Center’s own Adam Ratner about one of the biggest shnozs in the sea, the elephant seal! BIG TAKEAWAY: Given ease of access, animals who habitually raise their young on the beach are inherently targets for human predation; even one of the biggest, boldest creatures in the sea was nearly hunted to extinction. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) is one of the elephant seals’ best protections from human interference, but it's in danger of being repealed. 🚨If you live in the US, go to https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/help-save-the-marine-mammal-protection-act for ways to act to protect the MMPA!! 🚨 Resources: 💡Researcher Spotlight: Hearst San Simeon State Park @hearstsansimeonstatepark & Año Nuevo State Park @anonuevosp 🔎Deeper Dive Read: “I Am a Seal: The Life of an Elephant Seal” by Darlene R. Stille 🌊Conservation in Action: The Marine Mammal Center @TheMarineMammalCenter - Live in the SF Bay area? Consider volunteering! 🤙Episode Shoutouts: Free 24-hour livestream of @pointreyesnps (rookery site) linked in bio! 💰Sustainable Brand…

People in this episode

Hosts: Kait Birghenthal, Ash Gordon

Guest: Adam Ratner

Topics covered

• marine mammals
• conservation
• elephant seals
• human impact
• wildlife protection

Keywords

• elephant seal
• Marine Mammal Protection Act
• conservation
• marine mammals
• human predation

Sponsors

seventhgeneration

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Marine Mammal Center, Marine Mammal Protection Act

Books & works: I Am a Seal: The Life of an Elephant Seal

Places: US, SF Bay area, Hearst San Simeon State Park, Año Nuevo State Park, pointreyesnps

More episodes of Let's Sea

• 308: The Polar Bear Girl · March 19, 2026 · 1h 47m
• 307: In the Octopus's Garden · February 18, 2026 · 1h 55m
• 306: All of the Scallops · January 21, 2026 · 1h 35m
• 305: Big Tuna - The Art of the Sea · January 7, 2026 · 1h 60m
• 304: In a Hole lot of hot water with Hydrothermal Vents · December 17, 2025 · 1h 44m
• 303: Mangrove Mania · December 4, 2025 · 2h 8m