Morro Bay police had an interesting encounter, as they spotted a sea lion pup in the road late Wednesday night.
The Marine Mammal Center’s rescue team picked up the pup, as the sea lion appeared to be malnourished.
Last night Officers located and detained a cold and hungry runaway juvenile wandering in the 400 block of Embarcadero after curfew time. Unable to locate a parent or a responsible party, the juvenile was eventually turned over to the Pacific Wildlife. pic.twitter.com/OWmN9q3uY9
— Morro Bay Police (@MorroBayPD) June 6, 2019
Since California sea lions tend to give birth in June, the Marine Mammal Center says this is the typical time of the year that young, skinny sea lions are spotted by themselves, as they are learning how to survive and fish on their own.
However, in 2019, the Center has seen an unusual increase in those young, malnourished sea lions who are found with pneumonia and bacterial infections under their skin.
This sea lion pup will be transported to the Marine Mammal Center’s hospital in Sausalito to receive treatment.
If you spot an ill sea lion, keep a safe distance and call the Marine Mammal Center’s 24-hour hotline at 415-289-SEAL.
