Orphaned Sea Lion Rescue In Seal Beach: 'Humanity At Its Finest'

SEAL BEACH, CA — A sea lion pup was recently discovered by a Seal Beach police officer on patrol. What happened next got the community talking.

On Friday, a Seal Beach police officer discovered the sea lion where it shouldn't be, sitting on a concrete wall in the early morning hours. He called in the sighting to experts at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescue team, as is protocol.

What's more, the officer hung around with the orphaned seal pup at River's End until rescuers arrived.

The moment was captured on camera by Seal Beach resident Josh Rettich, who was walking his dog at the time.

"I didn't get close, as I had my dog and didn't want to scare the pup," Rettich told Patch.

Seal Beach Police shared the photo, as offered by Rettich, to 110 commenters, with the majority speaking on the love of the city, the department and all creatures, great and small.

"I hope the pup is ok," writes Shelly Gibb. "That must be really neat to sit there with one."

The officer stayed until the PMMC rescue team was on the way, then went off to other duties.

Another commenter, Juni Banico, writes: "Awesome photo!!! Speaks volumes about humanity."

The Seal Beach baby sea lion is one of the multiple recent rescues, the rescue reported.

"Almost all California sea lions are born in the month of June and typically spend six months to a year with mom," PMMC spokesperson Krysta Higuchi said over social media. "For that reason, we tend to see pups strand during the winter and spring with our busiest months being in March and April."

As of early December, the PMMC was caring for six pups, one sub-adult and one yearling California sea lion.

For more information, or to donate to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, visit their website and make a custom donation at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center this holiday season.