SeaWorld San Diego rescue team cuts fishing line from sea lion's neck at busy La Jolla Cove
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- SeaWorld San Diego's Rescue Team successfully cut fishing line off a sea lion's neck in front of a beach full of people at La Jolla Cove in San Diego.
On Friday, the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team went to La Jolla Cove beach and were able to capture a female sea lion in a net who was about one or two years old and weighed around 55 pounds, a spokesperson with SeaWorld's rescue team said.
The rescue team cut what appeared to be monofilament fishing line that was wrapped around the sea lion's neck, then tagged and released her back onto the beach.
SeaWorld rescuers said the line was not super embedded and appeared to have been tangled around the sea lion's neck relatively recently, but that it could have been very dangerous if left alone because of how young she is.
On Sunday, the sea lion, pictured below, was seen on the beach looking healthy and sporting the orange tag the rescue team placed on Friday. The rescue team says it is hard to tell the line was cut because she needs time to heal.
SeaWorld is also monitoring two other sea lions that beachgoers reported having line wrapped around their neck as well. The rescue team said they were not able to find one who they believe was in the cave/rock area, and the other sea lion was located on the Brockton cliffs.
SeaWorld San Diego rescue teams are on call 24/7 to assist animals that are orphaned, ill, injured or in need of expert care.
To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal, contact the SeaWorld Stranding Hotline at 800-541-7325. A whale, dolphin, or porpoise on the beach should be reported immediately.
