Irving, a young California sea lion once found on the streets of San Francisco, has been brought back to the California coast.
After spending weeks in care for severe malnutrition, he has been released into Monterey County waters, a hopeful example of how wildlife rescue can help an at-risk animal recover.
What happened?
According to The Californian, Irving was released near Point Lobos, southwest of Salinas, roughly two months after he was found in San Francisco far from the ocean. The sea lion had been weak and severely undernourished, but after rehabilitation, he was well enough to return to the wild.
Sea lions are coastal animals, not wanderers on city streets. When a marine mammal ends up in an urban environment, it can pose risks to both the animal and the public, particularly if it is sick, stressed, or disoriented…