Orange County's Pacific Marine Mammal Center has been experiencing record numbers of sick and injured sea lions this month – the most they have ever had in the center's 42-year history, according to Executive Director Keith Matassa.
Twelve sea lions were brought to the Laguna Canyon-based center this past weekend (March 16-17), increasing their capacity to 110 marine mammals – 104 sea lions, one fur seal and five elephant seals.
Last year at this time, the center housed a total of 12 sea lions.
As Matassa points out in the above video, no one knows what exactly is causing all these sea lions to turn up sick, injured and starving on the beaches of Orange County – right now, the reasons can only be speculated.
If you see a sick or injured sea lion or seal on the beach, you're cautioned to leave it alone and call the Pacific Marine Mammel Center at (949) 494-3050. A rescue crew will arrive and transport the animal back to the center and give it proper care.
And when they're all better, this happens.
