A sea lion pup was rescued on New Year’s Day, marking another in a series of recent rescues that have taken place this winter.
California Wildlife Center officials responded to a call on Jan. 1 reporting a young sea lion stranded on a rock near the end of Malibu Road, wildlife center Marine Mammal Coordinator Jeff Hall said. The animal was alert, but “extremely emaciated,” Hall explained. After being taken back to the local wildlife center, the sea lion was transported to the Marine Mammal Care Center where it is being treated.
Since the New Year’s Day rescue, a number of other sea lion pups have washed ashore in Malibu and been taken in by the wildlife center.
A sea lion was found on Christmas Day at Big Rock. The animal was cared for at the wildlife center and the mammal care center, but was too sick and unable to recover.
Hall explained that there is usually a spike in the number of sea lion pup rescues during December and January, partly because pups born in June and July are weaned around this time, and some experience issues causing them to become stranded on shore. They usually come in emaciated and dehydrated, and are generally able to recover, unless they are badly emaciated, Hall said.
The number of sea lion rescues made this winter is higher than the number of rescues made last year. However, the number is not unusual compared to previous years.