Sea lion pups ready for next splash

Seven sea lion pups made a splash as the rehabilitated critters scurried across the beach of Crescent Bay and into their natural home Saturday.

The pups had quite the audience and many people to thank as they dashed into the ocean. Their path was lined with about 200 onlookers, most of whom either adopted an individual sea lion or donated to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center that cared for the animals.

The animals all came into the care of the center in December and January when they began washing up across Orange County. When young sea lions begin to wean away from their mothers, they sometimes leave too early, which means they are susceptible to starvation and injury.

When ailing sea lions wash up underweight and hungry, the staff and volunteers of the PMMCin steps . They were excited to release so many healthy and rehabilitated young sea lions.

“This is what the work is all about,” Emily Wing, the center’s development and marketing director, said.

In the crowd were children from classrooms and Girl Scout troops which had adopted a sea lion.

Laguna Beach’s Daisy Scout Troop 834 adopted Tawni, a sea lion who was rescued weighing only 33 pounds. She was released weighing 63 pounds.

Troop Leader Trace Klug said the scouts as well as their families were presented with a unique opportunity to both help a sea lion and to learn about the ocean and pollution.

Klug said the group took field trips to the PMMC to see Tawni and to the beach to learn about how they can protect sea lion habitats. She said it was a great thing to do with a group of kids as it’s educational, serves the community, and is family friendly.

“The fact that they release them on the weekends is good because then all the working parents can be there,” Klug said.

Some of the scouts spent time collecting trash from the beach while they waited for the sea lions to arrive.

Wing said seven sea lions are more than are usually released at a time, but because the group had all endured treatment together, it was appropriate.

Wing said two of the sea lions, Alex and Rex, became close friends. She said the two were inseparable through their time at the center. When one had to go for treatment the other cried until his comrade returned.

As all seven cages were opened simultaneously, six sea lions kicked up tufts of sand as they rushed toward the waiting ocean—home.

But Alex stayed in his cage, afraid to leave its safe confines. As Rex realized this, he turned and scurried to the mouth of Alex’s cage to coax him toward the crashing surf.

Apparently, Rex’s arguments were convincing because Alex soon emerged and the two fittingly headed to their new home together.

Their two heads could be seen peeking out of the water barking to each other long after the other five dispersed.

Wing said the sea lions are able to be released when they reach a weight of about 65 pounds and they begin to compete for food. She said their caretakers usually let them get a little bit overweight before release.

“We make it so they can miss a meal or two while they’re getting acclimated to their new environment,” Wing said.

Bill Thomas, who donated money for construction of the PMMC’s new care pools said he was excited to see tangible dividends coming of his donation.

“You feel like you’re donation is making something very worthwhile happen. It makes you feel pretty good,” Thomas said.