Sea Lion Pups Rescued Across Southland Beaches

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — It was a quiet winter at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. The in-between times allow the center to gear up and ready themselves for what they know is coming: new sea lions and seals that will be in need of constant care.

Now, in mid-January, the PMMC reported over social media that two new patients joined the now 15 seals and sea lions in their care. As ever, they are given adorable names and shown in various stages of their recovery.

"Most patients are visible from the visitor yard; however, new patients may be in critical condition, and recovering in our intensive care areas," PMMC says on their website.

This week, Squirrel, a Huntington Beach sea lion pup, was rescued from the shore with a fishing hook in her lower jaw, they said.

Lagertha, an "emaciated and malnourished sea lion," was recently brought to the center by Newport Animal Control.

The vets and volunteers of the PMMC will nourish and rehabilitate both Squirrel, Lagertha and others until they are well enough to frolic in the center's many pools.

Ultimately, the goal is to get them back out to sea and on their own, come from down the street and as far as Murrieta come to lend a hand, assist in rehabilitation, and ensure these handsome creatures returned to health and released into the mighty Pacific, where they belong.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are always appreciated, the non-profit group says. Items on their wish list run the gamut from Tide liquid soap to Bounty paper towels. If you can't come in person, people from across the country can help donate to the center in the way of Amazon gift cards.

Watch the seal and sea lion patients recovering, on webcam here: www.pacificmmc.org

Find the PMMC at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Calif.

Photos, courtesy Pacific Marine Mammal Center