What to do if you find a baby sea lion?

Table of Contents

If you encounter a baby sea lion, your immediate action should be to maintain a safe distance and contact trained professionals. Do not attempt to handle or feed the animal. Your intervention could actually harm the sea lion, even if your intentions are good.

Introduction: Understanding the Plight of Stranded Sea Lions

Finding a baby sea lion alone on the beach can be a heartbreaking experience. While your first instinct might be to help, it’s crucial to understand that the situation may be more complex than it appears. What to do if you find a baby sea lion? often isn’t as simple as scooping it up and taking it home. These animals are protected under federal law, and unauthorized handling can be harmful to both you and the sea lion. Furthermore, what seems like abandonment might actually be a temporary situation where the mother is nearby, foraging for food. Understanding the proper course of action is essential for the well-being of these vulnerable creatures.

Why Are Baby Sea Lions Stranded?

Several factors can contribute to a baby sea lion becoming separated from its mother or appearing stranded. These include:

Natural Separation: Mothers often leave their pups on the beach while they forage for food.
Illness or Injury: A sick or injured pup may struggle to keep up with its mother.
Storms and Rough Seas: Harsh weather can separate mothers and pups.
Human Disturbance: Noise, crowds, and activities near haul-out sites can disrupt sea lion behavior.
Malnutrition: Sometimes young sea lions are unable to find sufficient food on their own.

Assessing the Situation: Observation from a Distance

Before taking any action, observe the sea lion from a safe distance (at least 50 feet). Look for these signs that the animal may be in distress:

Visible Injuries: Open wounds, bleeding, or entanglement in marine debris.
Emaciation: Visible ribs or spine.
Lethargy: Unresponsive or unusually inactive behavior.
Coughing or Sneezing: Signs of respiratory illness.
Seizures or Uncoordinated Movement: Suggesting neurological problems.

If the sea lion appears healthy and alert, it’s best to leave it alone and continue monitoring from a distance for a short period. The mother may return. If the sea lion shows signs of distress, it is crucial to contact professionals immediately.

Who to Contact: Reporting a Stranded Sea Lion

The most important step in helping a stranded baby sea lion is contacting the appropriate authorities.

Local Marine Mammal Rescue Organization: These groups are trained and authorized to handle marine mammals. Search online for organizations in your area.
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS): NMFS is the federal agency responsible for the conservation and management of marine mammals.
Local Animal Control: In some areas, animal control officers are trained to handle marine mammal situations.

When you contact these agencies, be prepared to provide:

Location: Be as precise as possible, including landmarks, coordinates, or street address.
Description of the Animal: Approximate size, weight, and any visible injuries or abnormalities.
Behavior: Note if the sea lion is active, lethargic, or unresponsive.
Your Contact Information: So the agency can follow up with you if needed.

The Importance of Leaving It to the Professionals

While your desire to help is commendable, attempting to handle a baby sea lion yourself can be dangerous for both you and the animal.

Sea Lions Can Bite: Even baby sea lions have sharp teeth and can bite if they feel threatened.
Disease Transmission: Sea lions can carry diseases that are transmissible to humans (zoonotic diseases).
Stress and Trauma: Handling can cause stress and trauma to the sea lion, potentially hindering its recovery.
Interference with Rehabilitation: Improper handling can make it more difficult for professionals to assess and treat the animal.

What Happens After You Report It?

After you report a stranded baby sea lion, a trained professional will typically:

Assess the situation: Evaluate the sea lion’s condition and determine if intervention is necessary.
Capture the animal: If necessary, the sea lion will be captured safely and humanely.
Provide medical care: The sea lion will be transported to a rehabilitation facility where it will receive medical treatment and care.
Rehabilitation: The sea lion will be monitored and cared for until it is healthy enough to be released back into the wild.
Release: Once the sea lion is deemed healthy and capable of surviving on its own, it will be released back into its natural habitat.

Preventing Future Strandings

While you can’t prevent all sea lion strandings, you can take steps to minimize human impact:

Keep a safe distance from sea lions: Avoid approaching or disturbing haul-out sites.
Keep dogs on leashes: Prevent dogs from harassing sea lions.
Dispose of trash properly: Marine debris can entangle sea lions and other marine animals.
Support marine conservation efforts: Contribute to organizations that work to protect sea lions and their habitat.

Summary of Actions

Action	Description
———————–	—————————————————————————————————
Observe from afar	Maintain a safe distance (at least 50 feet) and observe the sea lion’s behavior.
Contact Professionals	Report the stranded animal to a local marine mammal rescue organization or the NMFS.
Do Not Interfere	Avoid approaching, touching, or feeding the sea lion.
Prevent Disturbance	Keep pets away, avoid loud noises, and minimize any activities that could stress the animal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the first thing I should do if I see a baby sea lion alone?

The very first step is to observe the sea lion from a safe distance – at least 50 feet. This allows you to assess its condition without disturbing it or potentially endangering yourself. Look for any visible signs of distress.

Is it okay to offer water or food to a stranded baby sea lion?

No, it is never a good idea to offer water or food to a stranded sea lion. You could give it the wrong type of food, which can make it sicker, or you could accidentally cause aspiration (inhaling the liquid), which can be fatal. Professionals know exactly what to feed and how to hydrate sea lions.

How can I tell if a baby sea lion is truly abandoned?

It is very difficult to determine if a baby sea lion has truly been abandoned. Mothers often leave their pups to forage for food. The best course of action is to contact a marine mammal rescue organization; they can assess the situation and determine if intervention is necessary.

What are the potential dangers of approaching a baby sea lion?

Approaching a baby sea lion poses several risks. Sea lions can bite, potentially transmitting diseases. Your presence can also cause stress to the animal, and it could be illegal, as marine mammals are protected by law.

What kind of information will the rescue organization need when I call?

The rescue organization will need detailed information, including the exact location of the sea lion, a description of its condition (size, weight, any visible injuries), its behavior, and your contact information.

What if the sea lion is on private property?

Even if the sea lion is on private property, you should still contact a marine mammal rescue organization. They will coordinate with the property owner to ensure the animal’s safety and well-being.

Can I move the sea lion to a safer location, like away from the road?

No, you should never attempt to move a stranded sea lion, even if it appears to be in a dangerous location. You could injure the animal or cause it further stress. Instead, contact the authorities, who can assess the situation and take appropriate action.

How long do sea lions typically leave their pups alone?

Sea lion mothers typically leave their pups alone for several hours while they forage for food. This is a normal part of their behavior, and the pup is usually safe on the beach.

What happens to the sea lion after it’s taken to a rehabilitation center?

At a rehabilitation center, the sea lion will receive medical care, nourishment, and a safe environment. Professionals will assess its condition, treat any injuries or illnesses, and provide it with the necessary support to recover and eventually be released back into the wild.

How long does it take for a sea lion to be rehabilitated?

The length of rehabilitation varies depending on the sea lion’s condition. It can take several weeks or even months for a sea lion to recover fully and be ready for release.

How do they decide when a sea lion is ready to be released?

Professionals will monitor the sea lion’s health, weight, and behavior to determine when it’s ready for release. They will ensure that the sea lion is able to forage for food and survive on its own in the wild.

What can I do to help prevent sea lion strandings in the future?

You can help prevent sea lion strandings by keeping a safe distance from sea lions, keeping pets on leashes, properly disposing of trash, and supporting marine conservation efforts. These actions help protect sea lion habitats and reduce the risk of entanglement and other hazards. What to do if you find a baby sea lion? Remember: Observe, report, and let the professionals handle it.