Burton

Subadult California sea lion Burton was rescued from a Jet Ski platform at Burton Chace Park. He arrived at our hospital thin and lethargic with multiple injuries, including shark bites on his hind flipper and a fractured jaw. X-rays revealed that a pellet along the lower jaw had caused the fractures.

Burton’s jaw was initially unstable but improved over time, and he gradually began swallowing larger pieces of fish. His wounds and fractures eventually healed, and he was able to successfully catch fish and vocalize normally. During his three months in care, he became known for playing “babysitter” with the young pups onsite.

Burton was released back to the wild on October 15, 2024. Six weeks later, during a routine patrol of Marina del Rey, our responders spotted Burton healthy and thriving among a group of healthy male sea lions.

You may find it difficult to hear that Burton was one of 10 sea lion patients with known gunshot injuries in 2024. Five of them were pups or yearlings; three were previous patients. Sadly, Burton was the only one that survived.

Despite this heavy news, you can feel proud knowing compassionate people like you made Burton’s success story possible.