More than a dozen seal lion pups have been rescued along San Diego’s coastline in just the past week.
Ten of those rescues occurred in the last 48 hours.
Another sea lion pup wandered ashore in Mission Beach Sunday night.
Around 10:30 p.m., the pup was spotted sitting on the steps at El Carmel Place on the boardwalk.
Sea lion pups have been landing on our shores in large numbers lately. Many have required medical attention.
In the past week, SeaWorld San Diego's rescue team has been called to pick up 16 injured pups.
Ten of those calls came in this weekend alone.
An NBC 7 San Diego news crew captured another rescue Saturday.
A small sea lion appeared to be stranded on the sand between a trashcan and boardwalk wall near Zanzibar Court at around 7 a.m.
“This has been happening quite often,” explained SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Specialist Heather Ruce. “We’ve been seeing this a lot lately -- malnourished, emaciated, dehydrated, sometimes injured sea lions.”
Ruce said specialists have noticed a large number of pup rescues when the weather is rainy and the waves are choppy and rough.
She said many pups become tired in the water and come up to the beach for a break.
Anyone who comes across a stranded sea lion or seal can call SeaWorld rescuers at 1-800-541-SEAL.