VENTURA : Stranded Sea Lion May Be Rescued

A stranded sea lion found Thursday at Emma Wood State Beach was still languishing on the rocks Friday afternoon, and animal control officials say they will pick up the starving youngster if she is still there today.

“She swam out and came back in a few times, so that is a good sign,” said Sam Garvin, the animal control officer dispatched to check on the emaciated sea lion. “So far it doesn’t seem like there is anything wrong with her.”

But Dr. Craig Koerner, staff veterinarian for the Ventura County Department of Animal Regulation, said that the animal has been on the beach long enough to be classified as stranded and should be picked up, if at all possible.

“I would suggest that we bring it in,” he said. “It’s always a judgment call, but if it appears weak and debilitated, we should capture it.”

Mia Frost, operations manager for the Department of Animal Regulation, said the county will collect the animal if it is still on the beach today.

Campers near the beached sea lion said a ranger came and tried to feed it Friday morning but that the ailing animal would not take food.

But Koerner said no conclusions can be drawn from the animal’s refusal to eat. Other campers watching the apparently helpless sea lion were noticeably uncomfortable with its plight.

“It’s almost as if she came onto the beach asking for help, and we can’t help her,” said Wayne Post, a camper from Alto Loma. “Obviously she is sick.”