3 Sea Lions, Elephant Seal Injured By Refugio Oil Spill Released Into Wild
SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com) — Three California sea lions and an elephant seal who were exposed to an oil spill near Santa Barbara in May have been returned to the wild.
Refugio Oil Spill Response officials say the marine mammals released into the waters near San Diego Sunday were among more than two dozen animals captured during the Refugio Oil Spill Response that started on May 19, when Pipeline 901 leaked more than 140,000 gallons of crude into the ocean.
Wildlife care experts determined the animals had completed rehabilitation for exposure to oil and were deemed ready for release.
Three sea lions, which were fitted with satellite tags so scientists can track their activities, were released Aug. 16, while a California elephant seal was released Aug. 14. All the animals were released into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, SeaWorld officials said.
As many as 22 marine mammals remain in the care of the Refugio Oil Spill Response.