SeaWorld in San Diego has resumed its sea lion shows. Staff members have restarted training at the facility following the rescue of marine mammals on Southern California beaches.
Hundreds of malnourished sea lion pups were being washed ashore on these beaches recently, prompting SeaWorld San Diego and other similar organizations to send their staff at the SeaWorld Animal Rescue Center.
This year, SeaWorld San Diego has so far rescued 579 marine mammals, which include 557 sea lions. The facility aims to take care of the rescued mammals for several weeks until they are healthy enough to be released back into the ocean.
The reason for the sea lion pups' malnutrition remains unclear. However, researchers believe that it could be linked to the lack of sufficient food sources and the rising ocean temperatures. These two factors combined may have forced sea lion mothers to swim longer distances in search of food, leaving behind the pups that were then found on the coasts.
Animal rights groups have previously targeted SeaWorld for keeping animals in their facility and using them in shows. However, the latest rescue efforts reflect that the park also cares for animals in danger.
"Our goal here is to give these guys a second chance," said Mike Bissett, a senior trainer with SeaWorld who was also part of the rescue mission. "We've actually had trainers from SeaWorld Orlando and San Antonio."
SeaWorld officials believe that there may be more pups washed ashore in the coming days. The rescue mission will continue to save as many sea lions as possible.
Bissett reveals that when the sea lions are hungry and afraid, they may become aggressive and react differently. A young boy on the La Jolla Cove was recently rushed to the hospital after being bitten by a sea lion.
After a few weeks of hiatus, SeaWorld San Diego restarted the sea lions live shows on Thursday, March 26. The sea lion shows are set daily for 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2.45 p.m. at the facility's Sea Lion and Otter Stadium.
Photo: Michael R Perry | Flickr
