A wayward sea lion who accidentally made their way onto a highway near Santa Cruz, California, was rescued by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), KMPH-TV reported.
Despite the proximity of Monterey Bay, motorists on Highway 1 were likely caught off guard when they saw a sea lion along the busy stretch of road near Highway 129. Fortunately, CHP reported that those who spotted the sea lion wasted no time alerting officers.
“Thanks to the swift response from CHP officers, the fire department, and an amazing animal rescue team, our flippered friend was safely captured and is now on its way to recovery!” CHP wrote on Instagram.
Monterey Bay, which is home to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, is known for the highly social and playful California sea lions who sunbathe and gather in groups called “rafts” in the area. Their loud barking usually announces their presence before they come into view.
While they were once on the decline, their numbers have grown since the passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972, which prohibits the killing, harassment, and capture of marine mammals in the United States. In 1975, the population was less than 90,000, but it more than tripled in size by 2012. Currently, the number of California sea lions living on the Pacific Coast is estimated to be around 300,000.
Lady Freethinker commends the CHP, the fire department, and the animal rescue team for combining their resources to successfully move the sea lion away from the highway. Their quick response and compassion help to ensure that sea lions will continue to thrive in the area.
