A young sea lion was discovered wandering close to a busy freeway in San Francisco before being rescued by an off-duty police officer.
On Friday, a Brisbane Police Service officer noticed the pup waddling outside a hotel at the northbound entrance ramp to Highway 101, according to a police message.
The officers quickly used their own cars to help manage traffic in the area, prioritizing the safety of both the animal and motorists, while also reaching out to the Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) for additional help.
With teamwork, they managed to clear the road and prevent the baby sea lion from venturing onto the highway until the experts arrived.
Rescue personnel mentioned they had received multiple reports about the pup in recent days and had been looking for it.
“The Marine Mammal Center transported the animal to a veterinary clinic for treatment and rehabilitation, with hopes of returning it to its natural habitat,” they stated, adding that the sea lion was “malnourished and urgently required care.”
This incident follows a similar event in April when another sea lion pup was found wandering on a street in San Francisco, not far from the ocean.
The SFPD and representatives from the center collaborated to safely capture the pup, place it in a crate, and transport it for medical attention. The pup, now affectionately named Irving after the street where he was discovered, underwent an evaluation by the veterinary team at the center.
Recently, TMMC informed that after several weeks of care, Irving “has completed his isolation in the intensive care unit and is now enjoying an above-ground pool.”
“He was lively, energetic, and playful, often competing with his fellow sea lions for herring,” the statement noted.
Despite the early signs of progress, the veterinary team emphasized that Irving remains underweight and will need more time to regain the strength required to survive in the wild.
Brisbane Police emphasized the importance of contacting trained professionals if anyone encounters distressed marine wildlife, as these animals can become “stressed, injured, and unpredictable” when approached by the public.
The newspaper reached out to the Marine Mammal Center for further details.
