Although it lacks the flashy production values of many other NOVA episodes, Ocean Animal Emergency does offer more broad-based appeal to younger viewers and ecology-minded animal lovers, thanks to its focus on marine creatures that almost everyone finds irresistible: adorable and vulnerable harbor seal pups, playfully intelligent California sea lions, and big fat elephant seals (okay, maybe the latter aren't as adorable, but they still command our sympathy). All three species of oceanic wildlife are increasingly endangered by human influence, including pollution, tourism, fishing, and other environmental threats. Here, NOVA trains the spotlight on the hardworking staff at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA, who labor year-round to rescue and save animals, with most of their efforts resulting in happy endings (of course, not all outcomes are positive—euthanasia is occasionally a solution of last resort, handled here with appropriate seriousness and humane discretion, especially when a doomed seal with large congenital tumors cannot be saved). High-tech science is deftly interwoven with the animal stories, including one vexing case requiring state-of-the-art CAT scans for a cute harbor seal with a potentially life-threatening condition, and radio tracking of elephant seals that reveals just how amazingly active these “lazy” creatures are in their tireless quest for food. As the caring humans give their animal friends amusing theme-based names (during one rescue season, all of the seals are named after French artists), NOVA tracks their progress. Paradoxically, while humans may cause most of the problems these animals encounter, they are frequently also their only source of salvation. DVD extras include printable materials for educators. Recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (J. Shannon)
Ocean Animal Emergency
(2008) 56 min. DVD: $24.95. WGBH Boston Video (avail. from most distributors). PPR. Closed captioned. ISBN: 978-1-59375-872-1. Volume 24, Issue 3
Ocean Animal Emergency
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