Rescued Sea Lions, Seals to Be on View at Celebration
For a time, No. 8 almost died after police found it wandering through the streets of Venice in mid-February.
But seven weeks of fish milkshakes and a strong regimen of antibiotics at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro has left the 10-month old California sea lion pup in good shape. In about a month, it will take a trip on a boat and be dropped off near some picturesque beach where it can resume its life as a normal pinniped.
No. 8 is just one of the rescued seals and sea lions that can be viewed Sunday at the Marine Mammal Care Center at Ft. MacArthur, which is hosting the third annual International Day of the Seal.
“We’re expecting 2,000 to 4,000 people,” said Don Zumwalt, director of the center, which takes in stranded sea lions and seals and nurses them back to health.
There will be talks about sea animals and demonstrations on how the center cares for its wayward wards. One lecturer will discuss the status of J.J., the baby California gray whale stranded in January on Venice Beach after being separated from its mother. J.J. is being cared for at Sea World in San Diego.
The celebration coincides with Southern California’s prime pinniped pupping season. The center is already caring for two harbor seals, four elephant seal pups and 11 sea lion pups.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is at 3601 S. Gaffey St. Information: (310) 548-5677.
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