In a hopeful turn of events, two sea lion pups, Wren and Hue, were released into the Pacific Ocean at Hermosa Beach on June 24, 2025. This followed a month of rehabilitation at the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles (MMCC).
The pups had been treated for infectious wounds and shark bites. Their release is particularly significant, occurring during a prolonged toxic algae bloom affecting Southern California's marine life.
The algae bloom, caused by *Pseudo-nitzschia*, produces domoic acid, a neurotoxin. This has led to the stranding and death of numerous marine animals. The MMCC has treated over 400 animals during this crisis.
Wren, a male, was rescued in El Segundo with a jaw wound. Hue, a female, arrived with shark bite wounds. Both were tagged for tracking and are expected to head towards the Channel Islands.
The MMCC continues its monitoring and rescue efforts. They are also working to understand the broader impacts of the algae bloom. For more information, visit the MMCC website.