A World First in Marine Mammal Anaesthesia

August 27, 2025

News

A World First in Marine Mammal Anaesthesia

In March 2025, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary (CCWS) pioneered surgical procedure that could revolutionise marine mammal care around the world. In an incredible collaboration with global partners, CCWS successfully performed cataract removal surgeries on two endangered Australian Sea Lions — Miri, a 60kg female, and Ozzie, a 200kg male.

As animals in human care often live longer than their wild counterparts, they are more prone to age-related conditions such as cataracts. However, performing surgery on marine mammals presents unique challenges due to their physiology. Sea lions are natural breath-holders, and their anatomy can complicate sedation, making anaesthesia and recovery particularly risky.

What made this surgery truly groundbreaking was the use of a brand-new prototype ventilator designed specifically for marine mammals — the first time it has ever been trialled on animals. This revolutionary machine uses less medication to sedate, ensures more accurate oxygenation, and is compact enough to be portable — a potential game-changer for field research and rescue operations.

Unlike traditional anaesthetic systems, this new technology significantly reduces risks associated with marine mammal sedation, offering quicker recovery times and the ability to treat a wider range of species and sizes. Successfully trialling the machine on both a large adult male and a smaller female sea lion showcased its versatility and potential for widespread use.

This innovation is expected to transform how scientists and veterinarians conduct sedation and surgery on marine mammals in both captive and wild settings, with plans for commercial production already underway.

A Collaborative Global Effort

This landmark procedure was made possible through the cooperation and expertise of many world-renowned professionals and institutions, including:

Dr. Colin Dunlop – Animal Anaesthetist
James Dunlop – Engineer and designer of the new ventilator system
Dr. James Bailey – International Marine Mammal Anaesthesia Specialist
Dr. Carmen Colitz – Leading Animal Ophthalmologist
SeaWorld Australia – Technical expertise and equipment support
Dr. Claire Madden – Veterinarian, SeaWorld
Dr. Jim Osman – Woolgoolga Vet Clinic, additional surgical support
Tiga Cross – Managing Director, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
Dr. Tiffany Sullivan – Resident CCWS Veterinarian
CCWS staff – ongoing care and support
Dr. Angela Suen – Anaesthetist, Baringa Hospital
Baringa Private Hospital– equipment and consumables support

CCWS: Leading the Future of Wildlife Medicine and Education

This event is not only a triumph for veterinary science but also highlights the critical role CCWS plays in wildlife conservation and education. As a not-for-profit charity that receives no government funding, CCWS relies heavily on donations to continue its essential work.

With plans underway to build a dedicated Wildlife Educational Training Hospital, CCWS aims to become a global hub for teaching the next generation of veterinarians, researchers, and wildlife carers. This facility will help treat thousands of animals annually while offering a unique platform for hands-on training and research.

CCWS is immensely proud to have led this groundbreaking initiative and remains committed to advancing animal welfare and veterinary science.

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