San Diego

Bubba the Rescued Sea Lion Dies

Bubba the sea lion was seen near the Channel islands Harbor in Oxnard in late May with a harpoon-like blade, some kind of homemade spear, impaled into his side.

A Southern California sea lion that sparked a rescue effort by volunteers and concerned boaters after being spotted with a spear through his side has died, SeaWorld officials said Thursday.

"It is with great sadness that we report the large male sea lion, affectionately known as 'Bubba' died yesterday despite round-the-clock treatment from our veterinarians and animal care team," SeaWorld officials said in a statement Thursday.

Bubba the sea lion was seen near the Channel islands Harbor in Oxnard in late May with a harpoon-like blade, some kind of homemade spear, impaled into his side.

The male sea lion, weighing some 600 pounds, had been overnighting on an empty dock, then disappearing during the day. Concerned boaters and residents in the harbor dubbed him Bubba and worried that he might not survive until rescuers could get him help.

Volunteers and a professional rescue team from SeaWorld finally got Bubba after seeing him swimming near a dock.

The sea lion was brought to SeaWorld in San Diego, where veterinarians removed the blade.

On Wednesday, veterinarians were examining Bubba and collecting blood samples while he was sedated, according to a SeaWorld statement. During the exam, Bubba died.

"During the exam, he arrested and despite strenuous efforts to resuscitate him, he could not be revived," the statement read.

A necropsy showed the wound penetrated about 6 centimeters into Bubba's side, and revealed he "had a significant infection that could not have been known prior to his death."

SeaWorld officials said that the infection, inflammation and low glucose contributed to the sea lion's death.

"The park’s veterinarians and animal care team had high hopes for Bubba’s recovery," the statement read. "His death saddens all of us at SeaWorld."

The person responsible for the spear in Bubba's side has yet to be caught.

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