Four California sea lions that were rescued and brought into SeaWorld San Diego’s care malnourished and dehydrated over the past couple of months, have been nursed to health and returned to the ocean.
The first of three male pups returned to the sea today was rescued in Del Mar, Calif. Dec. 13; a second was rescued in Encinitas, Calif. Dec. 30; while the third was rescued off La Jolla Cove Jan. 15. Each of the pups returned to the sea today weighed between 45 and 55 pounds. The sole sub-adult 160-pound female sea lion was rescued along the shores of San Diego Bay seven daysago (Jan. 30). SeaWorld animal care specialists and veterinarians treated the animals with rehydration fluids and a nutrient-rich diet of capelin, sardines, herring, mackerel and squid.
For more than 40 years, the goal of SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Program has been to return medically treated and nursed-to-health rescued animals to the wild — giving them a second lease on life. On average, SeaWorld rescues and treats more than 300 marine animals and birds each year. Of these animals, seals and sea lions form the largest percentage.
Here is some footage of the return, giving you 4 more reasons to smile today:
