In cases where an animal’s best release option is a boat release, we have been fortunate to have the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST). They have always been willing to step up and kindly lend us the use of their boat and crew. Here are some pictures from our most recent journey with the USCG boat.

Recent Releases

On Tuesday April 10th, several of our California sea lion pups were returned to the ocean. The pups were found stranded along southland beaches throughout the last few months of 06′. They were all treated by our dedicated volunteers and staff who spent many hours treating the animals,and getting them up to a healthy weight.

Northern elephant seal released

One of our largest Northern elephant seals and a female California seal lion were both given a clean bill of health and were able to be released . 07-13 the elephant seal and the sea lion have been with us a few months and we are glad to say they were both eating well and healthy enough for release on Tuesday April 3rd.

Photos by Mary Beth Marks

California sea lion pup release, March 22nd, 2007.

By Chris Villanueva

The afternoon of March 22nd came with beautiful weather outside and a great volunteer turnout for the release of eight California sea lion pups. The sea lion pups, who were all admitted to the Care Center within the last few months, were put into kennels one by one and then loaded into our new release vehicle. This was the big test to see how our truck holds up to a bunch of well fed sea lions… and it did the job well. So with the animals all ready to go,everyone hopped in the “Seal Mobile”and prepared themselves for about a five minute drive along the beautiful San Pedro Coastline to White Point State Beach.

We arrived at the beach where the sea lions were unloaded off the truck. Several of them peeking out of the kennels seemed excited by the sight and smell of the ocean. We couldn’t have asked for the weather to be any better than it was with a wonderful view of the Catalina Coastline. So finally they were all lined up and ready to go. On the count of three, the kennels were opened and all eight of the sea lions in one big group took their final step into their journey back home. We watched them play in the surf for a short time until one after another they dissappeared into the” Deep Blue Sea”.