Entangled Sea Lion Found In Redondo Beach Returns To Ocean

REDONDO BEACH, CA — A young California seal lion discovered injured with a fishing net around her neck on the Redondo Beach barge made a full recovery and returned to the ocean this month, with help from the Marina Mammal Care Center.

According to the MMCC, avid kayaker Charles Fister was paddling along the coast of Redondo Beach when he discovered one-year-old Baxter entangled in the net. Foster called the rescue line and the center's experts spent the next several weeks trying to rescue Baxter.

As Baxter grew bigger each day, the net continued to get tighter around her neck.

"Although the thin, plastic line was starting to cut into her skin, Baxter was still strong enough to evade rescue," CEO John Warner said. "Because she continued to haul-out on the barge in the middle of the water, each rescue attempt required our experts to secure a boat operator willing to help."

Finally, the rescue team was successful and was able to bring Baxter to the hospital for treatment. After carefully removing the fishing line, the center's team wrapped bandages around Baxter's neck.

Within a month of recovery at the MMCC, Baxter's neck healed enough for her to return back to the ocean.

After being a part of Baxter's story, Foster was inspired to become an animal care volunteer at the MMCC so that he could provide hands-on support to the next animal in need.