Sea lion rescued from San Francisco road more than 1,000ft from ocean

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/12/sea-lion-rescued-from-san-francisco-road

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Officials said an emaciated sea lion yearling that was probably looking for food was rescued on Wednesday along a major San Francisco boulevard – more than 1,000ft from the ocean.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the young male pinniped had dragged himself uphill, through shrubbery and over the busy road before being discovered by two motorists.

A park ranger driving through the area stopped to help and took the animal to the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, where the ranger named him “Percevero”.

Officials say the sea lion weighs 28lb instead of a normal 80lb.

Hundreds of sick and starving sea lion pups and yearlings are turning up on California beaches. Wildlife officials say it remains unclear what is separating the animals, who should be nursing, from their mothers.