Malnourished California Sea Lion Pup Receives Help

The following story was shared with us by the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles.

On December 12, 2019, a skinny California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pup was all alone at El Segundo Beach. The pup was brought to Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles for immediate stabilization.

The female pup weighed 29 pounds, which is small for a 6-month-old. This made it apparent she was suffering from malnutrition after being separated from her mother.

Upon admission to our hospital, she was given a solution of EmerAid Intensive Care Piscivore to help restore lost nutrients. EmerAid Intensive Care Piscivore is our first line of defense for animals suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. She was also treated with subcutaneous fluids to help rehydrate her.

She received EmerAid Intensive Care Piscivore during the first two days of hospitalization until she was stable enough to transition to a blended fish gruel and whole fish. Once she was eating whole fish consistently, she was moved to a pool where she could interact with other sea lions her age and develop good eating habits. She was released on February 21, 2020, weighing 73 pounds.