Featured Image Credit: Oceans of Fun Facebook
You never know what gifts the sea will bring you. Last November, Moana, a sick and weary sea lion, was found in a California storm drain. She was suffering dehydration, seizures, a fever and she was severely underweight. A worried lifeguard called Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sea animals.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescued the pup and nursed her back to health. It was not an easy road, as a pup of her age still needed a mother to survive. She still of nursing age and wasn’t ready for a fish diet yet. Steps also had to be taken to get her to trust humans. After much hard work, they got had her on the mend and found her a forever home at Oceans of Fun in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
When she arrived at Oceans of Fun, the seal pup was given her name, which means “from the sea.” She also shares her name with another resilient girl from the popular Disney film of the same name. Like that Moana, the seal pup didn’t give up when faced with adversity. Just because she had found a home didn’t mean there wasn’t more work for her to do and more for her to endure.
Soon after her arrival in Wisconsin, Moana underwent further testing and was quarantined before finally being allowed to interact with her new family of sea mammals at Oceans of Fun this October. Now able to swim freely with other sea lions at the facility, Moana’s life has drastically changed from when she was found in the storm drain.
Now about a year old, Moana has much to look forward to. She has more friends to meet as her trainers are being introduced to her. And she’s learning her name as well. She’ll receive all the love and care she needs in her new home and she may gain some notoriety as well. Oceans of Fun plans to use her as an ambassador and share her story to get the word out about the dangers that sea animals like Moana can face.
For this lucky girl, her second chance has provided a happy ending and a bright future. By visiting accredited zoos, aquariums, and facilities like Oceans of fun, you can help ensure that conservation efforts like this are continued and more animals like Moana get a new lease on life.
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