Wayward Sea Lion Found On Oakland Airport Grounds
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- Deputies with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department intercepted an unusual intruder at the Oakland Airport early Thursday morning: a young wayward sea lion.
The Alameda County Sheriff's Twitter account posted video of the flippered infiltrator at about 6:40 a.m. Thursday, joking that the little sea lion was probably looking to board "a flight to Hawaii" for the holidays.
This little seal decided to pay a visit to @IFlyOAKland this morning. We are not sure where he was trying to go but likely a flight to Hawaii. He was very cooperative and deputies coaxed him back to the bay where he is safe. pic.twitter.com/Taa3VUXsv9
— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) December 20, 2018
The post said that deputies were able to herd the cooperative young sea mammal back into San Francisco Bay waters fairly easily, but posted a follow-up message shortly after 9 a.m. that the sea lion had returned. Deputies put a call in to the experts at the Marine Mammal Center to get the sea lion evaluated and safely returned to the water.
Our little friend returned a bit ago. We are now working with marine mammal experts to make sure he is healthy and can be returned home. Stay tuned. https://t.co/F5Vf9ZM9E7
— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) December 20, 2018
Officials with Mammal Center confirmed that the young sea lion had been brought to their Sausalito facility.
The mammal, named "Cruizin" by his rescuers, is being kept at the Intensive Care Unit holding pen at the Marine Mammal Center's hospital. Cruizin is set to undergo a full examination on Friday to determine age, sex and any potential ailments.
"The sea lion will stay in the holding pen until Center experts are comfortable moving the animal into a standard rehabilitation pool pen to continue its rehabilitation treatment," said Giancarlo Rulli with the Center.