Two California sea lion pups were abandoned by their mothers last weekend, forcing local animal rescue to respond.
Lifeguards called SeaWorld when the two pups were spotted with their umbilical cords still attached in the La Jolla Cove area. SeaWorld’s animal rescue team spent the day monitoring the pups on the beach before determining that the mother sea lions were not returning to care for the young animals.
The pups, estimated to be less than one week old are being bottled fed every two hours at SeaWorld San Diego.
Animal care specialists are introducing the pups to pools to swim and will eventually show them how to eat fish whole.
On average, SeaWorld rescues and treats more than 300 marine animals and birds each year. Of these animals, seals and sea lions form the largest percentage.
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