Sea Lion Hitches Ride Back Home

U.S. Coast Guard crews helped transport and release a 500-pound sea lion back to his natural habitat

A 500-pound sea lion hitched the ride of a lifetime Saturday when U.S. Coast Guard crews from San Diego and San Pedro helped transport and release the mammal to its natural habitat near Catalina Island.

According to the USCG, crews worked with a team from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center Saturday to relocate β€œFranklin,” a once-wayward sea lion recently rescued by the Center approximately five miles inland near Irvine.

During the transport, Franklin was lifted aboard Coast Guard Cutter Edisto, which took him straight to the waters near Catalina Island.

Once they arrived at the California sea lion’s destination, he was released into the water.
Franklin happy swam in his natural habitat, as captured in the photos provided by the USCG.
 

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