SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - After eight weeks of rehabilitation, SeaWorld San Diego rescue teams release seven rescued sea lions back into the ocean.
Six of the sea lions were malnourished pups when they were first rescued. It took rescue crews about two months to help them regain their strength and nutrients needed.
The seventh sea lion was discovered on La Jolla Shores with a shark bite wound to his shoulder. Rescue crews tell 10News they watched him for three days and then took him to their veterinarians because they noticed he wasn't using his left fin at all.
After x-rays, SeaWorld San Diego vets discovered several broken bones in his front left fin and his left shoulder was snapped in half.
Intense rehabilitation over the past eight weeks has him in good condition to return to the wild Tuesday.
During the rescue return trip, General Hospital actress and dedicated animal advocate Carolyn Hennesy joined. Hennesy works closely with the SeaWorld San Diego rescue center and often joins them on return trips.
As part of tradition, before animals are released, Hennesy said a few words to the sea lions, "Considering myself part of the SeaWorld family, I will say it was wonderful having you."
All seven were released into the ocean about an hour from shore.
SeaWorld San Diego tells 10News they've rescued over 600 animals in 2019 already including, 137 sea lions.
