A male sea lion that rescuers in San Pedro have named Confetti after it was found in Ballona Creek was on the mend Friday despite the fact that the sea mammal has two bullets in his skull.
The sea lion was fished out of Ballona Creek, a channeled stream that empties into the ocean near Marina del Rey, on Jan. 5 and found to be suffering from the potentially fatal bacterial infection leptospirosis, which affects the kidneys.
Confetti the sea lion is seen in Ballona Creek before he was rescued. (Photo courtesy of the Marine Mammal Care Center)
“His blood work also showed concerning liver abnormalities,” according to a Facebook post by the Marine Mammal Care Center, which is rehabilitating the animal. “Our veterinary experts started him on supportive medications and antibiotics. He was also given fluids to help with dehydration. “
Confetti is clearly a survivor.
“Incidentally, skull X-rays taken during Confetti’s initial exams showed that he has two bullets in his head, indicating that this was actually the second time he had narrowly escaped death,” according the center’s post, which said it is not unusual for sea lions to be shot, sometimes by fishers upset over the critters pilfering their catch.
Confetti was listless and uninterested in eating fish until about four days after being brought in when he became more alert “and started moving around,” the center reported.
“On day seven, he successfully chased and ate live fish. And by day eight, he was eating the herring he was offered multiple times a day,” according to the center, which offered thanks to compassionate supporters.
“His resilience offers hope after a very tough year for sea lions in 2025,” the Facebook post stated.