SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - SeaWorld returned nine rehabilitated sea lion pups back into the wild Tuesday.
The pups made their way back into the ocean at the Border Field State Park Beach.
They were rescued from beaches in Oceanside, Del Mar and La Jolla throughout the month of March. They were all malnourished and dehydrated. Now they've put on weight and proven they are ready for a second chance at life.
"We know that these animals were competing well they were eating live fish. We feel pretty confident that they are going to do well out here in the ocean," rescue animal care specialist Heather Ruce said.
SeaWorld has rescued 335 sea lion pups so far this year. Last year, they only rescued about 135 during the entire year.
