Sea Lion Rescued From Car Dealership Parking Lot In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Marine Mammal Center helped rescue a California sea lion from a Marin County car dealership parking lot, the Sausalito-based organization announced Thursday.

The sea lion was found Nov. 2 at a parking lot at Corte Madera's MINI of Marin car dealership. According to The Marine Mammal Center, the sea lion, now named Mini, likely traveled too far up Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park, potentially following a food source, before exiting the water and crossing San Clemente Drive.

Due to the safety risks posed by the nearby roadway, the animal was rescued and taken to The Marine Mammal Center's Sausalito hospital.

"Mini has made great early progress during her rehabilitation and we're encouraged by her energetic demeanor and active eating skills," said Dr. Cara Field, medical director at The Marine Mammal Center. "Once this animal's rear flipper heals and bloodwork shows no signs of ill health, our team will return this sea lion back to her ocean home."

Center experts said Mini is in "excellent body condition" besides suffering from joint arthritis in her right rear flipper. The team is taking extra precautions to further limit the amount of interaction and stimulation around her due to some early signs of the animal's high interest in people.

According to The Marine Mammal Center, the sea lion was previously rehabilitated and released last summer for a swollen jaw and neck wounds by San Pedro-based The Marine Mammal Care Center.