3 sea lion pubs return to the sea in Manhattan Beach

Three once-ailing sea lion pups but brought back to health by the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro were released Friday mouthing, May 29, near the Manhattan Beach Pier with Mayor Joe Franklin on hand for the happy ending.

It also was the first sea lion release in Manhattan Beach.

MMCC is Los Angeles’ only year-round marine mammal rehabilitation center and rescues more marine mammals per mile of coastline than any other organization in the U.S., according to the facility.

Also on hand was MMCC CEO John Warner.

Returning to their natural homes were:

–Tortellini, a female California sea lion pup rescued from Dockweiler Beach on April 12. So emaciated that her backbone was visible beneath her fur, she also was found to have some swelling in her jaw and discharge from her eye. A healthy diet of fish was needed and she was initially tube-fed a mixture of mashed-up fish, later transitioning to whole fish when she was stronger. Her eyes — the right eye was swollen and had a lesion (a suspected scar). She was given anti-inflammatory medication and a vision supplement and the squinting improved. After six weeks of care, the eye issues were resolved and she nearly doubled in weight.

–Rotini, a female California sea lion pup, was also rescued from Dockweiler on April 12 after a beach cleanup crew spotted her looking emaciated. Malnourished and dehydrated when she arrived at the care center, she was tube-fed mashed-up fish and then transitioned to whole fish. After six weeks under care, she gained weight and was cleared for release back into the wild.

–Cavatappi, a male California sea lion pup, was rescued April 13 from El Segundo after appearing to be emaciated when spotted. Malnourished and dehydrated when he arrived at the hospital, he rebounded after a few days of care and being able to eat whole fish after being tube-fed. Some pox lesions on his neck resolved and after six weeks he doubled in size.