Sea lions rescued separately, but released into the wild together

Two sea lions are beginning an adventure together after being rescued separately by rescue groups who had a very busy 2018.

Wazoski (the bigger of the two sea lions pictured) was rescued from the Marine Mammal Triage Center in Morro Bay on Oct. 30th at the Oceano Dunes. The sea lion was suffering from malnutrition and pneumonia and taken to the center’s Sausalito hospital.

The other sea lion, Spruce was one of some 300 California sea lions who was admitted to the Center for leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that affects the kidneys and can be fatal. The Center said this year’s outbreak of the infection in sea lions was the second largest in 43 years.

Spruce and Wazowski were released back into the wild Thursday, Dec. 27th.

The Marine Mammal Center has rescued and treated more than 750 marine mammals with the support of more than 1,200 volunteers who have spent 150,000 hours of service throughout the year.