An intrepid sea lion ventured onto Highway 1, close to Santa Cruz, causing a stir as it strayed far from its typical coastal habitat. After motorists noticed the sea creature near Highway 129, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the fire department, and a local animal rescue team moved quickly to respond.
CHP Santa Cruz shared on their official Instagram account that the sea lion was transferred for recovery after being securely captured.
"Thanks to the swift response from CHP Santa Cruz officers, the fire department, and an amazing animal rescue team, our flippered friend was safely captured and is now on its way to recovery," according to the CHP's Instagram post.
The incident emphasizes the importance of knowing how to interact safely with marine wildlife. The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) helps prevent harm to marine animals by limiting human interference. Breaking these rules can disturb wildlife and result in fines.
Here is a simple list of best practices for observing sea lions and other marine life.
-Stay at least 100 yards away from animals.
-Keep pets on leashes to avoid disturbances.
-Don't feed or approach marine animals, even for photos.
To support sea lions and other marine life, consider checking out Oceana, an organization dedicated to ocean conservation.
