A young sea lion was rescued Saturday after multiple 911 callers reported seeing the animal in the middle of the road in a Bay Area community, officials said.
The San Rafael Police Department said officers responded along with San Rafael Fire Department personnel to Point San Pedro Road in San Rafael, just north of San Francisco, after multiple reports of a sea lion “wandering” in the roadway Saturday morning.
“Officers, firefighters, and community members used shields, a litter basket, and cardboard to safely corral and encourage the sea lion over to the Point San Pedro Bay Park,” police said. “Once in the park, the sea lion took advantage of the sprinklers.”
Photos show first responders and bystanders herding the juvenile sea lion away from the road and toward a grassy area. Another photo shows the sea lion enjoying a spray of sprinkler water.
The sea lion was named “Pointer” after Point San Pedro Road, where it was found.
The Marine Mammal Center responded to the scene to take custody of Pointer, who is believed to be “suffering from a bacterial infection,” police said. The Marine Mammal Center will work to rehabilitate Pointer with the goal of returning the animal to the wild.
