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Sea lion returned to sea after mysteriously showing up on side of busy road

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By Fiona Jackson via SWNS

A 250-pound sea lion has been returned to the sea after being found at the side of a busy road - and experts have no idea how it got there.

The male was shepherded across Route 94 eastbound by passers-by on January 7 in San Diego.

California Highway Patrol was then alerted and staged a rescue with the help of SeaWorld’s Rescue Team.

The sea lion reportedly acted aggressively toward its helpers, pulling itself in the direction of the oncoming traffic in defiance of its instructions.

Rescuers then used nets to stop the marine mammal before transporting it by truck to a rescue center for a health evaluation and recovery.

The location where the sea lion was found was roughly four miles from the closest beach of San Diego Bay - and experts still aren't sure how he ended up there.

But, after a full month in rehabilitation, he was approved by vets to be safely returned to the ocean last week (February 9).

A sea lion that was rescued after being found on the side of a busy freeway has been returned to the sea. (SeaWorld via SWNS)
A sea lion that was rescued after being found on the side of a busy freeway has been returned to the sea. (SeaWorld via SWNS)

This particular sea lion had been tagged prior to the rescue mission last month as he had shown up in strange locations since early November 2021.

A spokesperson for SeaWorld said: "This sea lion captured the attention and stole the hearts of Americans nationwide, and SeaWorld is proud to provide a happy ending to this story.

"The sea lion was accompanied by two other sea lions who were rehabilitated at SeaWorld San Diego and were ready to be returned at the same time.

"SeaWorld San Diego has spent years rescuing, rehabilitating and returning animals in need and will continue to act quickly when alerted to animals in distress and in need of help."

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