Hundreds of sea lion pups are washing ashore in California malnourished, prompting Sea World San Antonio to temporarily stop its shows and pitch in to help. Trainers have been sent to southern California to tend to what is being referred to as an unusual mortality event.
According to Chris Bellows, Sea World San Antonio vice president for zoological operations, literally hundreds of sea lion pups are being discovered dehydrated and underweight. Experts are needed to help feed them and assist in medical procedures that's why Sea World has sent some of its sea lion trainers to add to manpower.
"It's always great to be called on. Unfortunately it's a rough event that's going on out there, but we're glad to lend a hand," said Bellows.
The year 2015 has just begun but already Sea World San Diego has rescued over 400 sea lions, already twice the usual average number of rescues the park registers in a year.
Researchers point to temperature changes in the water as the reason for sea lion pups washing ashore. As the water grows warmer, fish seek out cooler areas which leads mothers to go look for food farther than the usual spots they go to. This means they're gone for longer periods of time which means sea lion pups are not nursing as often as they should, preventing them from gaining the weight they need.
Sea World San Antonio said trainers will be sent to California continuously until the problem is resolved. Rescued sea lion pups are nursed back to health, fed and treated as needed. Once they are well enough, they are led back into the water to live in their natural habitat.
Animal rights activists have targeted Sea World for its use of animals in captivity in its shows but the park is showing that it cares for the health and welfare of all animals, not just the ones in its branches, by pitching in and doing what it can for sea lion pups washing ashore in California.
Sea World added that it aims to raise awareness for the plight of sea lions in California with help from news outlets across the country.
"And while we hope 2015 will be a healthy year for the North American native, our promise has and will always be to rescue, rehabilitate and return animals as long as they are in need," the park said.
Larry Johnson | Flickr
