Featured Image Credit: Orbitgal via Wikimedia
By Alice Morris
Calder Nold was teaching a surf lesson at Pleasure Point earlier in the month when he noticed the young sea lion struggling in some rough waves.
“It was really high tide,” said Nold. “Probably an 8-foot swell, and no beach.”
The pup was attempting to jump out of the water onto the rocky shore, but strong waves kept sending it crashing into the boulders.
It didn’t take long for Nold to realize that the sea lion needed rescuing, so he grabbed his board and paddled out to assist the distressed animal.
The sea lion was hesitant to accept help at first and tried biting Nold, so the surfer had to adjust his approach.
“So I said. ‘Fine, you know where I’m at. You come to me.”
Eventually, Nold says, “It latched its flippers onto my leg. It was its last bit of energy.”
Nold was then able to carry the pup to shore, where he kept it warm until volunteers from the Marine Mammal Center arrived to evaluate the pup’s health.
Nold, who is nicknamed “Big C,” named his new friend “Little C.”
Laura Sherr, a spokeswoman for the Marine Mammal Center said that Little C was malnourished and in need of help when Nold found him. However, she advises anyone who finds an injured animal to contact wildlife professionals.
“People have good intentions and the animal may be suffering. The instinct to help is really, really difficult not to follow,” she says. “That’s natural and wonderful, but if you want to help, channel that by calling us.”
Sherr also stresses the importance of minimizing contact with wild animals so that they don’t become desensitized to humans.
“Interacting with marine mammals in any way is illegal and could actually result in a healthy pup being separated from its mother and needing rescue,” said Sherr. “Marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act so we remind the public to keep a safe distance from animals on the beach, and never approach, touch or interact with a marine mammal.”
Little C is now recuperating at the Marine Mammal Center and his caretakers expect a full recovery.
Sherr said that the center responds to similar incidences on a regular basis and she is happy that Nold was in the right place at the right time to help Little C.
“We’re really glad this animal has been rescued and given a second chance at life,” she said.
It’s a positive story with a happy ending! But remember, all marine mammals are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act which makes it illegal to touch harass or alter their normal behavioral pattern in any way. If you ever encounter an injured animal, always call the Marine Mammal Center’s 24-hour rescue hotline that can be reached at 415-289-SEAL (7325).