Sea Lion Pup Spotted On Foggy Road, Gets Ride In Patrol Car

FORT BRAGG, Calif. (AP) -- A sea lion pup walked about a quarter mile from a Northern California ocean and was rescued by sheriff's deputies.

Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were on patrol on Highway 1, south of Fort Bragg when they spotted an animal moving slowly in the dark, dense fog.

Deputies stopped and determined the animal was a sea lion pup weighing about 20 pounds.

Authorities say the sea lion pup had a tag attached to its front flipper. The animal was friendly with the deputies, rubbing against their legs for attention.

The deputies who encountered the sea lion on the road. (Credit: Mendocino County Sheriff)

Deputies contacted the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. Center officials identified the pup from the tag and determined it had been released from their rehabilitation center. The pup was determined to be healthy. The pup climbed into the back of the patrol car and deputies drove it back to the ocean.