The California Wildlife Center (CWC) has been rescuing, on average, one to two sea lion pups per day in Malibu since the end of December.
Rescues normally increase in December, January and February.
“Rescues typically occur starting in late December, when the pups are around six, seven and eight months old,” said Michael Remski, CWC Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Manager.
One to two rescues per day may seem like a lot, but this is about an average number for CWC to see around this time of year.
“I would classify this as a normal winter so far,” Remski explained. “In winter, we see a spike in pups because this is around the time they tend to be leaving their mothers. If you ask me in another week, I may say it’s more than usual, but for now, it’s a typical January.”
Though the data has not yet been compiled since the season is just beginning, Remski estimates CWC has helped rescue 10 pups as of Tuesday, Jan. 13. Most of the pups that are rescued are classified as “failure to thrive.” This means that when the pups are away from their mothers and out on their own for the first time, they struggle to survive.
“Here on the stranding end, we don’t really see what goes on and we don’t see scientific data first hand,” Remski said. “We just see the results. There are many factors that could be contributing [to failure to thrive]. It could have to do with the fish stock, which is important for youngsters.”
Others factors, Remski said, could be the health of the mother and how well she is able to raise her pups.
CWC picks up sea lion pups throughout Malibu’s coast, with a larger number of rescues in the Point Dume and Zuma areas. On Thursday, Jan. 8, a pup was rescued in the Westward Beach area, and on Friday, Jan. 9, a rescue took place at Broad Beach.
Once the sea lion pups are rescued, they are taken to the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, the only facility in L.A. County equipped to deal with the rehabilitation process of sea lions. The length of rehabilitation varies depending on the severity of the case.
“It does vary greatly,” Remski said, “but if I had to pick an average number, it’s around two to three months, depending on what’s wrong with them. The majority of pups that are picked up are underweight and starving, which leaves them more susceptible because they’re weak and hungry.”
Although the sea lion pups are all brought to San Pedro, CWC’s Malibu location is equipped to deal with northern elephant seals. Sea lion rescues take place all year round, but northern elephant seals have a specific rescue season. The CWC opens its facility for northern elephant seals in March.
