California sea lion pups: Strandings at record levels in 2015

Hannah Bateman feeds a group of rescued California sea lion pups at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro.

Hannah Bateman feeds a group of rescued California sea lion pups at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Time to eat

Rescued sea lions pups know it’s feeding time at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro. Record numbers of sea lions are washing up along the Southern California coast.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Pampering the pups

Rescued sea lion pups are receiving care at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro.   (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Rescued sea lions

A rescued sea lion pup at Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Sea lions head back to ocean

The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro released 11 pups, about 7 months old, on Feb. 17.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Back to the wild

A small crowd gathers to watch as a rehabilitated sea lion pup is returned to the wild Feb. 17.  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)