Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles treats first patient of the year pulled from Ballona Creek.
Rescuers at the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles began the new year with a critical case after pulling an adult male California sea lion, later named Confetti, from Ballona Creek on Jan. 5.
Confetti was the center’s first patient of the year and arrived in poor condition. Veterinary testing confirmed he was suffering from leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that attacks the kidneys and can be fatal without treatment. Blood tests also revealed abnormal liver function. Care teams immediately began antibiotics, supportive medications, and fluid therapy to address dehydration and stabilize his condition.
For several days, Confetti showed little sign of improvement. Staff described him as extremely lethargic, largely immobilized, and uninterested in food, prompting concern about his chances of survival. That outlook began to change on the fourth day of treatment, when he became more alert and started moving around his enclosure.
By the seventh day in care, Confetti was strong enough to chase and eat live fish. A day later, he transitioned to regularly eating herring offered by staff, marking a significant milestone in his recovery.
Imaging conducted during his initial medical evaluation revealed another troubling detail: X-rays showed two bullets lodged in his skull, evidence that Confetti had survived a previous shooting. Center officials noted that while shocking, such findings are not uncommon, underscoring the dangers sea lions face from human-caused violence.
As Confetti continues to recover, staff say his progress offers a measure of optimism following a difficult year for sea lions in 2025, when many animals did not survive similar injuries or illness.