King The Yacht Club Sea Lion Pup Rereleased Into Ocean

REDONDO BEACH, CA — After just over two months at the Marine Mammal Care Center, the sea lion pup discovered in the kitchen of a yacht club in Redondo Beach — King — was released back into the ocean this morning, according to MMCC staff.

At 9 a.m. Friday morning, King and three other sea lion pups that were also recovering from malnourishment rushed back to the ocean after fully recovering.

"Because of your social media shares and donations, King gained over 3 times his original weight. He was released this morning at Cabrillo Beach with 3 of his friends!" the MMCC said on Instagram.

King's journey started on January 26 during one of the many brutal rain storms to hit Los Angeles County this year. The dramatic weather conditions led the 6 to 7-month-old sea lion pup into the kitchen of the King Harbor Yacht Club in search of warmth and a helping hand.

Staff members at the Yacht club contacted the MMCC because they're known for giving treatment to sick and injured sea lions and harbor seals. Veterinarians at the MMCC said King was in bad shape when they first met him, needing to be tube-fed when he first arrived.

Over the course of 10 weeks, King rapidly recovered while chowing down on about six pounds of fish a day. He also got to work on his social skills and made friends with a few other pups at the facility.

Staff thanked the community for donations and all those who supported in King's recovery. For more information and to donate to the MMCC, visit their website.