Sea lion rescued by Monterey police recovering at Marine Mammal Center

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION)

UPDATE 3/30/2020 1:30 p.m. A sea lion, known as Wayland, that was rescued by Monterey police officers is recovering at the Marine Mammal Center's Sausalito hospital.

When Wayland arrived, veterinarians found that he was suffering from severe malnutrition and had minor trauma to one of his flippers.

There was a hook embedded in the flipper that fell out on its own during rehabilitation, but veterinarians do not know if the hook caused the other injuries to the flipper.

Now Wayland is being held in an Intensive Care Quarantine pen. He is getting bagged fluids to keep him hydrated and is being tube fed what the Marine Mammal Center calls a "fish smoothie." The goal is to transition Wayland to fish in the future and start rehabbing him with other sea lions around his age.

The center does not know when he will be released yet.

PREVIOUS STORY: A California sea lion now known as "Wayland" went on quite the adventure Thursday.

Monterey Police were dispatched to the recreation trail and found him too far from the beach for a sea lion pup.

The Marine Mammal Center picked up the little guy for rehabilitation.

The Center typically names the rescued pup and since he was found by officer Wayland Kopp, the sweet sea lion is now known as Wayland.

Wayland is having his admissions exam. Marine Mammal Center officials tell us the patient's left rear flipper has a hook embedded and they are working to get it out. It is uncertain if this is a pup or yearling at this time.

If you see a marine mammal patient, you're asked to call the hotline 415-289-SEAL

You can monitor his progress at https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/