Wildlife Jewels® Ocean: Celebrating MPA Day at Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area
Yesterday we honored the global importance and beauty of Marine Protected Areas—vital ocean sanctuaries where wildlife can rest, feed, and flourish with fewer disturbances. At Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), we enjoyed seeing magnificent Willets and Black Turnstones relaxing and bathing at the water’s edge.
Willet at Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), August 1, 2025
© Wildlife Jewels® | Photo by Azi S.
Celebrating MPA Day!
Yesterday we honored the global importance and beauty of Marine Protected Areas—vital ocean sanctuaries where wildlife can rest, feed, and flourish with fewer disturbances.
At Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), we enjoyed seeing magnificent Willets and Black Turnstones relaxing and bathing at the water’s edge. Moments like these remind us just how valuable protected marine areas are for countless shorebirds, marine mammals, and coastal species whose survival depends on these special places.
Let's continue protecting these incredible habitats and the precious wildlife that depend on them.
Video: Willets & Black Turnstones at Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) © 2025 Wildlife Jewels®/ by Azi S.
Discover the Wildlife Jewels® EYES Program — Help us monitor, rescue, and collect vital data on our Ocean Jewels along the California coast! 🌊🐚
Last week, Wildlife Jewels joined OARRA on a Survey & Monitoring trip to observe the majestic ocean animals of the California coast, the habitats they depend on, and the environmental conditions around them.
We absolutely adored this precious Seal pup during our recent EYES monitoring at La Jolla Children’s Pool. She’s now part of Wildlife Jewels’ Collections of featured wildlife, raising awareness for seal pups and their protection.
Yesterday we honored the global importance and beauty of Marine Protected Areas—vital ocean sanctuaries where wildlife can rest, feed, and flourish with fewer disturbances. At Crystal Cove State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA), we enjoyed seeing magnificent Willets and Black Turnstones relaxing and bathing at the water’s edge.
The 2025 theme for UN World Oceans Day is "Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us" — a powerful reminder of the ocean’s breathtaking beauty and its essential role in sustaining life on Earth. From the magic of Antarctic Krill, tiny yet fascinating crustaceans that sustain Antarctica’s extraordinary wildlife…
During our recent coastal wildlife monitoring walk at La Jolla Cove, we were delighted to see California Brown Pelicans thriving. It is incredible to witness their recovery since the devastating pelican starvation crisis that began in April.
During our wildlife monitoring walk at La Jolla Cove last week, we were disturbed to spot and report two distressed sea lion pups. Since then, it has been reported that three dead pups have been found on the beach, and two others had to be rescued.
On this World Ocean Day, Wildlife Jewels is excited to unveil our newly launched and emerging Ocean programs.
Our initiatives range from coastal wildlife monitoring and tracking to Marine Protected Areas wildlife watch and wildlife crisis rescue programs, all aimed at protecting our coastal wildlife. Additionally, we have marine debris removal programs and ocean education and creative arts initiatives designed to engage the community and to inspire individuals to protect marine life.
Wildlife Jewels continues monitoring injured harbor seal pup Kyanite at La Jolla's Children's Pool. Giving her space to haul out could provide a chance for rescue.
Wildlife Jewels documented at least 10 entangled cormorants in one day at Point La Jolla. Learn about this growing seabird entanglement crisis and ongoing monitoring efforts.
Wildlife Jewels® documented Blue-Banded Brown Pelican 429 during a Point La Jolla Search Scout survey, helping track the bird's recovery after rehabilitation.
During our EYES field surveys at Children’s Pool, we have continued observing the same injured harbor seal pup since June 28. She has a deep wound near her left shoulder/front flipper and appears to have difficulty moving.
During our EYES Children’s Pool survey yesterday, Wildlife Jewels documented a precious seal pup with a concerning open wound on the left neck/shoulder area.
Wildlife Jewels documented a yearling sea lion badly entangled in fishing line in La Jolla before SeaWorld Rescue successfully rescued her. Learn how discarded fishing gear threatens marine wildlife.
A California Brown Pelican in distress at San Marcos High School was safely rescued through coordinated efforts between Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew, San Diego Humane Society, and SeaWorld Rescue.
Thank you to everyone who attended a recent Wildlife Jewels Rescue Crew training session at La Jolla Shores.
🚨 California Brown Pelicans need your help
California Brown Pelicans need your help. A concerning number have recently been found distressed along our coast, and other seabirds, including cormorants, are affected as well.
🚨 ENTANGLED WILDLIFE ALERT — La Jolla Cove 🚨
During our recent EYES wildlife monitoring at La Jolla Cove, we documented two entangled Brandt’s cormorants within ~2 feet of each other—including clearly visible rope/line. 💔
We’ve launched a neighborhood group for the La Jolla community to share local wildlife rescue resources and guidance specific to our coastline.
💙 “At Wildlife Jewels®, we believe every wildlife is precious, and we are endlessly fascinated by the magic of ocean life—from the tiny Antarctic krill to the inspiring Western Gull and the extraordinary Horn Shark. Many of the world’s most transformative innovations are inspired by ocean life, and they deserve our care and protection. Join us in our mission to protect them!” ~ Azi Sharif PhD, Founder & Executive Director at Wildlife Jewels®
Happy World Oceans Day!
Our precious marine life faces a devastating crisis, from chemical pollution and petrochemicals to algal blooms, fishing gear entanglement, plastic pollution, overfishing, ship strikes, and so much more. On this World Ocean Day, Wildlife Jewels® is honored to share some of our recently launched and emerging ocean programs dedicated to protecting our majestic ocean life.
In this video, check out some of the precious wildlife we recently spotted at La Jolla Cove in just one hour. Their lives depend on the well-being of our ocean!
Join us in our mission to protect these magnificent creatures.
Cormorant's, Sea Lions, Elegant Terns, Royal Terns, California Brown Pelicans, Western Gulls, Heermann's Gulls and more amazing wildlife we recently spotted at La Jolla Cove.
Stunning Cormorant with her chicks sitting on the signature Wildlife Jewels® gemstone, Sea Lions, Pelicans, Cormorant’s & Gulls at La Jolla Cove
What a beautiful Earth Day at the coast! Thank you to everyone who joined Wildlife Jewels for our Earth Day Sweep & Learn for Wildlife at Corona del Mar State Beach.
What a fabulous day at the coast! 💙 Thank you to everyone who joined Wildlife Jewels for our New Year Sweep for Wildlife at Corona del Mar State Beach. Together, our community made the shoreline safer for both people and wildlife—while learning about our local seabirds and marine life, the threats they face, and simple actions we can all take to protect them.
Kick off the year by protecting California’s coastal wildlife—while learning about local seabirds, including iconic brown pelicans and the inspiring story of a resilient resident gull.
What a fabulous day! Thank you to everyone who joined Wildlife Jewels® for our Sweep for Wildlife cleanup at Corona del Mar State Beach. Together we made the shoreline safer for people and wildlife—while learning about our local seabirds and marine life, the threats they face, and simple actions we can all take to protect them.
Be part of our Coastal Cleanup Day Sweep for Wildlife, where community members and wildlife advocates will come together to remove harmful debris, protect coastal wildlife, and learn about the threats marine debris poses to our oceans.
What a Fabulous Day! Thank you all for joining Wildlife Jewels® for our Summer Sweep & Learn for Wildlife Beach Cleanup Walk at Fletcher Cove Beach!
Thank you for joining us at the Wildlife Jewels Earth Day Sweep & Learn for Wildlife Beach Cleanup Walk! Your dedication to cleaning the beach and protecting our precious wildlife is truly appreciated.
You’re invited to join Wildlife Jewels on Sunday, April 27th, from 4-6 PM for our 2nd Annual Earth Day “Sweep & Learn for Wildlife” Walk in the beautiful coastal town of Corona del Mar!
On Sunday December 15th, Wildlife Jewels organized and hosted a community beach clean-up in Corona Del Mar State Beach and king tides exploration walk at little corona del mar tide pools. This event was part of our Sweep for Wildlife program from our Ocean Conservation initiative aimed at cleaning the beach and educating the community about our native wildlife, the threats debris poses to their lives, and ways they can contribute to protecting them.
What an incredible day! Thank you all for joining Wildlife Jewels® at our Sweep & Learn for Wildlife King Tides Beach Cleanup Walk at Fletcher Cove Beach!
You’re invited to join Wildlife Jewels® for our Sweep & Learn for Wildlife Beach Cleanup Walk in Solana Beach!
Help us remove debris, learn about the majestic coastal wildlife residents in Solana Beach you're helping to protect, understand the threats they face, and discover actionable steps you can take every day to protect our precious wildlife.
A Second Chance for an Entangled Brown Pelican. One moment of awareness helped change the course of his life. On July 22, 2026, a Wildlife Jewels® Search Scout survey at Crystal Cove State Park became an unexpected rescue mission.