A pregnant sea lion waddled her method onto the golf course of a Carlsbad resort final week — an uncommon spot for the pinniped to be.
With a little bit of coaxing, SeaWorld Rescue Group was in a position to catch the ocean lion at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa on Thursday and to take her again to the seaside, Rescue Group supervisor Jeni Smith mentioned.
The mammal wasn’t fairly as far inland because the sea lion noticed crossing State Route 94 earlier this yr, however she definitely wanted assist getting again to her ocean residence.
Smith mentioned the resort referred to as Thursday morning to report the misplaced sea lion. Crews headed as much as Carlsbad and by 9 a.m. have been on the course corralling her.
“She regarded like she was conscious of her environment. We simply felt like she is in a wierd location, just a little misplaced,” Smith mentioned.
Smith mentioned she doesn’t assume the animal crossed any streets to achieve the resort. Moderately, excessive tides and waterways made it potential for her to get from the ocean by way of Batiquitos Lagoon and to the close by resort.
The ocean lion regarded wholesome and gave the impression to be prepared to offer delivery any day, so the choice was made to instantly return her to the ocean, authorities mentioned. She was again within the water by 11:30 a.m.
Smith supplied kudos to the golf course staffers who reported the misplaced animal and let rescuers drive onto the manicured course to retrieve her. She additionally thanked the South Carlsbad State Seashore lifeguards who positioned their automobiles as a barrier on the seaside to assist information the ocean lion to the water.
The animal was the fiftieth sea lion rescued by SeaWorld Rescue Group this yr.
There’s a little bit of an replace on the wayward sea lion who made nationwide information earlier this yr when he wandered onto a busy San Diego freeway. After his return to sea, the animal lovingly referred to as “Freeway” was discovered months later in a storm drain miles from the ocean. That marked his third rescue, and he was saved at SeaWorld for commentary.
“Freeway remains to be with us,” Smith mentioned. “He’s gaining weight and cohabitating with the opposite animals.”
He’s been present in harmful locations. So, for his personal security, he’s staying put at SeaWorld, Smith mentioned.
“We got here to the willpower that he’s non-releasable,” Smith mentioned.
It was a joint determination made by SeaWorld and the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, the federal company that enables SeaWorld to rescue, rehab and launch marine mammals.
Freeway is now an envoy, serving to SeaWorld educate individuals about sea lions.
“Lots of people learn about that animal,” she mentioned. “He is a good animal and we are able to share his story.”