A couple of sea lion pups will spend World Oceans Day – coming up June 8 – back in the ocean, thanks to the Marine Mammal Care Center and Terranea Resort. Both pups were found separated from their mothers and emaciated, but were nursed back to health by Marine Mammal Care staff and were released back into the wild at Terranea’s Beach Cove May 27.
One of the pups, a female, was found by California Wildlife Center staff on a resident’s porch. The other, a male, was found by Marine Animal Rescue at Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol Dock. While at the Marine Mammal Care Center, the pups were brought back to a healthy weight, gaining as much as 37 pounds each.
The resort, located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, is a fitting site for the pups’ release, as it occupies the former site of Marineland of the Pacific, where the original Marine Mammal Care Center was housed to rehabilitate marine life in need in the L.A. area. “We are delighted to share this positive recovery as part of our ongoing mission to care for and protect Los Angeles marine life,” says MMCC President Amber Becerra. “We have partnered with Terranea for more than 10 years as part of their commitment to sustainability and protecting our precious coastal habitat.”
To date, the nonprofit center, now located at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, has treated and helped rehabilitate more than 8,000 marine mammals. The facility serves all 70 miles of L.A. county beaches, caring for injured, sick and stranded sea lions with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing them back to their ocean habitat.
Terranea has partnered with the MMCC since the resort opened in 2009, and the partnership is part of Terranea’s overall environmental mission. The resort’s Experience Concierge members help guests discover and explore Terranea’s rich terrain that includes miles of scenic coastal trails, a secluded beach cove and ocean environments. Terranea also hosts programs and activities such as falconry, archery, kayaking and paddle boarding.
“We are committed to protecting and stewarding this unparalleled coastal setting and supporting the education of our visitors and guests to enhance awareness and encourage additional support for our partners in the community,” says Terranea Resort President Terri A. Haack.
The pups, for their part, were just delighted to be back in the ocean – even giving each other a little kiss on their way into the surf.
