Seventeen rescued sea lions were sickened after their pool was filled with chlorine. The sea lions were being housed at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. The sea creatures had just recently recovered from starvation and dehydration.
The majority of the rescued sea lions suffered eye burns or corneal ulcerations after chlorine was poured into their pool at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center , according to a Laguna Beach Police Department.
To date, 10 of the rescued seals recovered and seven of the creatures are still being cared for and examined by veterinarians on staff at the Laguna Beach marine center. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is focused on rescuing and rehabilitating sick and endangered seals. When possible, the seals are then released back into the wild.
“When I saw them, some of their eyes were completely shut, and others had really puffy and swollen eyes they could barely open,” Laguna Beach Police Sergeant Tim Kleiser said during an interview with ABC News . “And all of them were out of the water, which was unusual, according to the lady who was working there at the time.”
Laguna Beach police investigators reportedly believe that one or more suspects entered the center sometime between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. on April 27 and April 28. Before chlorine was put in their pool, all 17 of the rescued sea lions had been cleared by staff veterinarians and were scheduled to be released back into the wild on April 29.
“What’s sad is that they had just been nursed back to health after being found dehydrated and starving,” a Pacific Marine Mammal Center spokeswoman told local reporters. “This is the first time our center has experienced criminal activity since the 44 years we’ve been here.”
Here’s an excerpt from the rescued sea lions chlorine attack report by the Laguna Beach Police.
“Laguna Beach Police Detectives have interviewed several people having access to the facility. These detectives are working closely with investigators from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in a joint investigation. City surveillance footage is also being reviewed in an attempt to locate the suspect(s) or their vehicle.”
Laguna Beach Police encourage anyone with tips about the incident to call Laguna Beach Detectives David Gensemer or Abe Ocampo at (949)-497-0377 or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hotline at 1-800-853-1964.
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