NORTH COAST, Calif. – A sea lion pup got help from some deputies this week after it was found wandering on Highway 1.
Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies found the pup while on routine patrol at 1 a.m. Sunday, according to Capt. Greg Van Patten.
The deputies were on Highway 1, just south of Fort Bragg, when they observed a small animal moving slowly in the roadway and stopped to render aid, Van Patten said.
Due to the darkness and the dense fog, Van Patten said the animal was very difficult to see and would certainly have been struck by a vehicle if the deputies had not stopped.
Deputies discovered the small animal was a California sea lion pup, about 30 inches in length and weighing approximately 20 pounds. Van Patten said the pup had walked about a quarter mile from the ocean.
The sea lion pup had an orange tag attached to its front flipper and was extremely friendly with the deputies, rubbing against their legs for attention, Van Patten said.
Van Patten said the deputies contacted the Marine Mammal Center, based in Sausalito, which identified the sea lion pup from the flipper tag. The center told the deputies that the pup had been released from their rehabilitation center, where it learned to interact with people.
Based on the information provided by the sheriff’s deputies, the Marine Mammal Center staff determined the sea lion pup's health had remained stable since its release and it was not in any type of distress, Van Patten said.
At the direction of the Marine Mammal Center, Van Patten said the sheriff's deputies were asked to assist the sea lion pup back to the ocean.
Van Patten said the sea lion pup was grateful to receive a ride from the sheriff’s deputies and climbed into the rear of the patrol vehicle.
The pup was transported by the sheriff’s deputies and successfully released back to its natural habitat, Van Patten said.
To report an injured or distressed marine mammal, the Marine Mammal Center can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 415-289-SEAL.
REGIONAL: Deputies rescue sea lion pup from highway
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