Three sea lion pups who were once malnourished and struggling to survive were released back into the Pacific Ocean Friday in Redondo Beach after a rehabilitation stint at the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles (MMCC).
After being separated from their mother, the sea lion pups had spent the last couple of months at the facility in San Pedro.
Preparing for the pups’ release near Redondo Pier, MMCC CEO John Warner called the special moment “a rediscovery of their ocean home.”
“They’re going to need maybe a little bit of courage to build up, to make that choice to go back into the water once we open the crates,” Warner explained.
The Marine Mammal Care Center released two sea lions on Thursday at Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro.
With a little waddle and some of that courage, the sea lions made their way home.
Since 1992, the MMCC has cared for more than 10,000 marine mammals. The facility rehabilitates sick and injured marine mammals until — like the pups on Friday — they can be safely released back into the ocean.
Every year, the center cares for 250 to 500 sea lions, elephant seals, fur seals and harbor seals.
At Friday’s press conference, Warner said Redondo is “consistently in the top three locations” in Los Angeles County where animals strand.
“We call it a hotspot,” he explained. “But it’s also a community that cares tremendously about these animals.”
Warner said anyone who sees an animal stranded on the shore can report it to the MMCC by calling the center’s hotline at (800) 399-4253, aka (800) 39-WHALE.
The MMCC responds to upwards of 900 reports annually of stranded marine mammals.
Warner said every rescue, rehabilitation and release is important.
“Marine mammals are more than wildlife,” he said. “They’re sentinels of the ocean and a reflection of the world that we all share together.”
“California Live” is at the Marine Mammal Care Center to get in on the mammal feeding action. Learn how the organization is making an impact by saving mammals from environmental disasters such as oil spills, wildfires, sewage spills, and more.
Last June, two pups named Wren and Hue were released at Hermosa Beach after a month-long treatment at MMCC. They had suffered shark bites but were able to recover.
Redondo Beach Mayor Jim Light spoke at Friday’s event about the city’s long and successful partnership with the MMCC.
“Our public, our boating community and our harbor patrol have been always willing to help Marine Mammal Care Center with their mission,” Light said.
The mayor said the city’s relationship with MMCC was strengthened even further during the mass strandings of marine mammals last season.
California State Senator Laura Richardson of Long Beach also spoke at the sea lions’ release Friday. Before the pups made their way back into the ocean, she announced the proposal of a new bill, SB 1286, which would establish the California sea lion as the official state pinniped.
Richardson said the bill was inspired by the ongoing work of the MMCC.
The MMCC said Friday that it is always in need of volunteers. To find ways to give to the organization, check out the MMCC website.