Harbor Police Rescues Stranded Sea Lion
Harbor Police officers found a sea lion wandering a roadway on February 18, 2015. After it was evaluated by SeaWorld specialists and deemed healthy, it was returned to the Pacific Ocean on February 26. (Photo: Port of San Diego)
Sea lions are a common sight in San Diego Bay, but a sea lion wandering a busy roadway and then ending up in the back of a patrol car is slightly rarer.
The San Diego Harbor Police Department received a call on February 18 of a sea lion in the roadway of Harbor Island Drive, near a local restaurant.
Encountering the uninjured sea lion, responding officers Christine Sperry and Luis Martinez used salmon to lure the adult female sea lion into the water. Within minutes the wayward sea lion was back up on the sidewalk and nudging Officer Sperry in with her nose.
When called for assistance, Sea World San Diego didn't have any staff available to bring the sea lion in, so Officer Sperry drive it over in the patrol car. With more salmon in the backseat, the sea lion hopped in without hesitation, sitting upright and looking out the window almost the entire route.
An evaluation by Sea World’s animal care specialists revealed that the sea lion was in good health, enabling her to be released into the Pacific Ocean on February 26. Officer Sperry rode along in the vessel with Sea World staff, who affectionately named the sea lion Christine, in honor of Officer Sperry.
February 2024
