Sea Lion Pup Climbs Into Driver's Front Seat Seeking Help; Rate Of Dying Pups Soars

A high influx of sickly sea lion pups continue to wash up along the Golden Coast, worrying scientists and rescuers who are struggling to find an answer to the growing problem. This time around, SeaWorld rescuers didn't have to travel far to save their 278th pup of the season after she caught a passing motorist's attention several blocks from the clinic early Wednesday morning.

The driver spotted the sea lion on his way to work and stopped to give a lending hand to what he thought was an injured dog on Ingraham Street near West Mission Bay Drive. The pup hopped into the motorist's passenger seat before sliding in the more spacious backseat area. An animal care team responded and scurried towards his location, about the length of a football field from park property.

"We've never done a rescue this close and on a city street," said SeaWorld spokesman Dave Koontz. The pup was examined and administered fluids at the SeaWorld animal care center, marking its 294th rescue this year, 278 of which have been sea lions.

Researchers and marine officials believe the high volume of distressed pups is due to an insufficient supply of herring and anchovies, the sea lions main source of nourishment. The National Marine Fisheries Service last week declared an "unusual mortality event" for the California sea lion based on an abnormally high rate of strandings.

"What we're seeing is animals recently weaned from mom who aren't very strong or very skilled and they're apparently just not able to get to a food source," said Koontz.

On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said more than 1,000 sea lion pups have been ushered to rehabilitation centers along the Southern California coast in the past several weeks.

The pup that managed to climb into the driver's backseat on Wednesday weighed in at a measly 19 pounds, Koontz reported. "She's malnourished and dehydrated," he said. "She should weigh about 20 more pounds."

"She could be with us for several weeks," he added. "The goal is get her weight back up to what it should be and get a clean bill of health."

As the widespread sea lion problem persists, researchers and marine officials are desperate to find a solution. A stranded sea lion is a tragic sight. No pup should be left behind.