Three oiled mammals brought to SeaWorld San Diego die
Three more mammals brought to SeaWorld San Diego from the Refugio State Beach oil spill have died, park officials said Friday.
A sea lion had to be euthanized when it began having seizures and was unresponsive to attempts to help it, according to park spokeswoman Jennicca Taylor.
An elephant seal and a sea lion died Friday. “The animals arrived in guarded condition, already malnourished, like many young sea lions washing up on California’s beaches,” Taylor said.
In all, four sea lions, an elephant seal, and two dolphins brought to SeaWorld have not survived. Necropsies are planned.
The park is currently caring for 17 sea lions and five elephant seals. Three members from SeaWorld’s rescue team are at Refugio State Beach in Santa Barbara County to assist in the rescue of mammals.
The park’s assistant curator of birds will deploy this weekend to the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center in San Pedro to assist with rehabilitation of birds from the oil spill.
Twitter: @LATsandiego
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