O’Neill the sea lion released back into wild in Santa Cruz after entanglement

A California sea lion found entangled near the Santa Cruz Wharf was released back into the wild Tuesday morning.

The sea lion was found tangled in netting and rope, making it difficult for the animal to eat. Volunteers with the Marine Mammal Center worked to rescue the animal and nurse it back to health.

Around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, O’Neill the sea lion was launched off the Team O’Neill catamaran, the primary platform for O’Neill Sea Odyssey, near its home at the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, Seal Rock, and the US Coast Guard buoy.

Laura Sherr of the Marine Mammal Center said the female sea lion may have some hearing loss from severe trauma to its right ear, but is otherwise doing very well.

O’Neill the sea lion released in Santa Cruz Tuesday