The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are rescuing malnourished and dehydrated sea lions at an increasingly rapid rate.
NOAA typically saves sea lions after they are reported by tourists and local visitors to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. A rise in these good Samaritan calls are contributing to the increased rescue rate, reported NBC News.
Just five weeks into 2015, more than 350 sea lions were rescued.
STARVING SEA LIONS: How @NOAAFisheries & partners are helping. @UTBrennan https://t.co/5OE3ktZTwd pic.twitter.com/OhDXCmSDl2
— NOAA Fish media team (@NOAAFishMedia) January 29, 2015
NOAA is administering fluids to the sea lions as soon as they rescue them to get them hydrated. Weight gain and the ability to compete for fish are the two key criteria for release back into the ocean, Keith Matassa, executive director of Pacific Marine Mammal Care (PMMC) in Laguna Beach, told NBC News.
There are several theories emerging about why so many sea lions are emaciated in the waters.
Some say it's due to the lack of fish, while others attribute it to warmer waters leading fish to swim deeper than before, the California coastline could be at its capacity for carrying sea lions, or the young sea lions going longer periods of time between feedings from their mothers, reported NBC News.
Scientists are working to determine what the actual reason is for the sea lion's severe malnourishment.
