Lisbon

One-year-old California sea lion Lisbon was found lethargic and emaciated on the beach at Portuguese Bend in mid-July. Our rescue team noted that she had superficial wounds or abrasions all over her body and her muzzle looked swollen.

Upon admit to our hospital Lisbon had a seizure, but after just a few days in care she was eating well on her own and within a month, she was successfully catching live fish added to her pool.

After two months in our care, all of Lisbon’s abrasions had healed and she had gained more than 35 pounds, bringing her closer to a healthy weight for her age. But she began having trouble swallowing and keeping her meals down.

A blood sample revealed that she was positive for a parasite called Toxoplasma, which can cause fatal brain infections in marine mammals, including threatened and endangered species like sea otters and Hawaiian monk seals.

Although this protozoan parasite affects many animals, as well as humans, the most common source of transmission is cats, including pets and wild animals like bobcats and cougars.

When cat droppings containing the parasite are washed out to sea, they can contaminate marine animals that are eventually eaten by sea lions like Lisbon, making them sick — an important reminder that what we do on land can have an impact on the health of our ocean and marine mammals.

Lisbon was treated with medication to fight the Toxoplasma and gained more than 50 pounds while in care. After about three months of treatment, she was able to return to the wild with a second chance at life.