SAUSALITO, Calif. (AP) — A sea lion found entangled in a plastic packing strap at San Francisco's popular Pier 39 tourist spot was released back to the ocean after rescuers nursed the marine mammal back to health.
Rescuers used a dart tipped with a mild sedative when the sea lion nicknamed "Blonde Bomber" was sighted in distress on a floating dock on Oct. 9. Veterinarians estimated the male juvenile had been living with the seven-inch strap around its neck for at least four months and as long as a year.
Workers at the Marine Mammal Center released the sea lion from a Sausalito beach Thursday morning.
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