The big day finally arrived for two California sea lion pups to return to the ocean after being found malnourished, as Southern California beaches were at the height of a toxic algal bloom.
It took the shy pups about 15 minutes to finally leave their crates as a crowd watched them enter the Hermosa Beach waters.
The pups, named “Wren” and “Hue,” were brought to the Marine Mammal Center Los Angeles (MMCC) for treatment last month.
Wren, who veterinary experts said was malnourished and likely struggling to find food after weaning from his mother, was rescued May 16 in El Segundo.
The male pup was also treated with antibiotics to clear any infection or inflammation after he was found to have swelling on the left side of his jaw.
“After a little over a month in care, Wren has doubled in weight and is now ready to return to his ocean home,” MMCC officials stated.
Hue was rescued on May 20 in Malibu. “Our veterinary experts determined that she was malnourished and had jagged bite wounds, likely from a shark, on both sides of her chest,” the MMCC stated.
After a month of treatment, Hue has healed up and gained “a healthy amount of weight” and was also ready to be released, MMCC stated.
The release comes just weeks after Southern California beaches were inundated with sick marine mammals affected by the algal bloom.
MMCC responded to over 550 sea lions and dolphins that washed ashore sick or dead, during what they described as the worst domoic acid event on record in Southern California.
Donations to MMCC can be made at marinemammalcare.org/donate by choosing a gift amount.
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