SeaWorld San Diego reported May 27 that its specialists are taking care of 11 sea lions and six elephant seals affected by last week’s oil pipeline rupture near Santa Barbara after receiving two more marine mammals May 26.
The animals were soaked as up to 105,000 gallons of oil spilled near Refugio Beach.
The latest arrivals — a sea lion and an elephant seal — were hydrated after they arrived, had blood drawn and were examined by veterinarians. SeaWorld officials said their conditions have to be stabilized before the oil can be removed from their skin.
The 17 marine mammals at SeaWorld’s Oiled Wildlife Care Center are all in guarded condition, according to SeaWorld. Two sea lions brought to the facility earlier have died.