LOS ANGELES —Coast Guard members from Station Channel Islands Harbor assisted members of the California Wildlife Commission to release two rehabilitated elephant seal pups back into the wild near Santa Cruz Island on July 12, 2016.
The elephant seal pups were being treated at the California Wildlife Center’s rehabilitation site for seals, located in Calabasas near Malibu. The pups were picked up in March after failing to thrive in their natural environment following birth.
The pups received care and acclimation training to better their chances of surviving in the wild upon being released. A 45-foot Response Boat - Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands assisted in the safe loading and transportation of the seal pups to Santa Cruz Island.