SeaWorld San Diego is looking to help rescue sea lion pups stranded on California beaches by suspending its sea lion show.
The family entertainment company decided on Saturday to shut down its sea lion show for at least two weeks so the trainers can join the park's rescue team and save the stranded sea lion pups, according to the L .A. Times. SeaWorld is constructing two temporary pools for the rescued sea lions.
This is the first time that animal rescues have shut down any of SeaWorld's shows, said SeaWorld spokesman Dave Koontz, U-T San Diego reported. Six additional specialists will be available daily to assist with the rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Some of the trainers will stay at Sea Lion Stadium to care for the animals there.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said they have seen a greater number of stranded pups on California beaches than usual this year. SeaWorld and NOAA are caring for more than 500 pups and have taken in 940 since Jan. 1, said Justin Viezbicke, the NOAA stranding coordinator on the West Coast. California usually only sees 225 stranded pups per season, which lasts from January to April.
Marine mammal specialists say they have some theories behind all of the stranded pups, according to the L.A. Times. One is that the sea lion population is greater than their food source of sardines and squid. A different theory suggests that the water is warmer, five degrees above average, causing the food source to retreat to colder water.
Nursing sea lion females may be spending more time and energy finding food, which forces the pups to fend for themselves.
