Local News in Brief : Laguna Beach : Bull Sea Lion Injected and Left to Convalesce
A large, bull sea lion who may be sick has been spotted occasionally lounging on the beach at Emerald Bay, a representative of the Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center said Thursday.
The animal, 6 to 7 feet long and 400 to 500 pounds, was first spotted on the beach Dec. 10, said Judi Jones of the center in Laguna Beach.
Officials injected antibiotics and medications Wednesday into the bull, using an 8-foot metal pole equipped with a syringe. The injection will fight any infections and intestinal parasites the animal might have, Jones said.
“The best thing to do is to leave him alone and let him rest,” Jones said. Officials have posted signs on the private beach warning the curious onlookers not to disturb the animal. Emerald Bay is a gated community on unincorporated county land surrounded by Laguna Beach.
The sea lion may be too sick to swim to usual resting places, such as rocky islets or man-made buoys, she said. Officials do not want to bring the bull to the center for treatment or feed it for fear it may become dependent on them.
Officials said they will not treat the animal again, unless it is reported back on the beach.
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