Hundreds of emaciated sea lion pups are being rescued in California

Marine biologists in California are worried that more than 350 stranded sea lions have already been rescued from beaches in 2015, an extremely high number for so early in the year.

In comparison, in 2013 — a year the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) called an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) — 1,300 sea lions were rescued between January and May. "During that year we rescued 19 California sea lions in January, this year we already rescued 87 pups in that same month," Sea World San Diego senior veterinarian Hendrick Nollens told NBC News. "So this event seems to be much larger."

Most of the sea lions are dehydrated and malnourished when they are rescued, and immediately receive IV drips of fluids before being upgraded to eating a gruel. In order to be released, the pups must gain weight and be able to compete for fish. Marine biologists have a few theories as to why more sea lions are stranding: The water is warmer, and fish might be going deeper; pups don't know how to dive that far down, and their mothers are going farther away to find food. Another theory is that the California coast is at carrying capacity, and there is a larger sea lion population than normal.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up