CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A Shedd Aquarium veterinarian has returned to Chicago after spending the last two weeks on the California Coast rescuing stranded sea lion pups.
A large influx of sick adult California sea lions and malnourished pups has created a crisis situation; and organizations like the Channel Island Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI) and the Shedd Aquarium have responded to the call for help to rescue and rehabilitate the animals.
Animal care experts, veterinarians, vet techs, and volunteers are providing medical and rehabilitation care to the more than 55 sea lion pups that were found abandoned, malnourished, and in distress. The hope is to eventually return the animals back to the wild once they’ve recovered and regained a healthy weight while at the Channel Island Marine & Wildlife Institute.
"These pups are usually emaciated. They are founded stranded on the beach or just weak because they were either weened too early from their mother or maybe they are being out-competed for resources," said Sage Rosenbrock, veterinary technician at Shedd Aquarium.
Rosenbrock traveled to Santa Barbara to help rehabilitate the pups.
"We will give them fluids, give them antibiotics...some animals even come in with shark bite wounds so they are essentially admitted to the Center and then at that point they are getting dietary increases and we are just trying to get them to put on weight so they are eligible for release at the end of rehabilitation," she said.
Rosenbrock said the crisis is due to climate change and nutrient pollution, that causes the explosive growth of the algal blooms. According to the Shedd, the blooms produce a neurotoxin that is consumed by filter-feeding fish like anchovies and sardines, but does not affect them and instead, "compounds up the food chain in a process called biomagnification.
“With a commitment to the welfare of animals – within the aquarium and around the world – we have a longstanding history of responding in times of urgent need,” said Peggy Sloan, chief animal operations officer at Shedd, in a statement. “This is an issue that is close to our hearts, having made a home at Shedd over the years for rescued sea lions like Laguna and Cruz. Our animal care team is always ready to grab their waders and medical kits when called upon to support the incredible work of our partners like CIMWI and make a positive impact on behalf of the aquatic world.”