Ailing sea lion captured in California

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MONTEREY, Calif., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- An official at the Marine Mammal Center in Marin County, Calif., said an ailing sea lion was captured after being on the run for nearly a month.

Marine Mammal Center executive director Dr. Jeff Boehm said the sea lion, dubbed Abagnale by biologists, was first seen on New Year's Day in San Francisco after becoming entangled in some fishing wire, the San Francisco Chronicle said Monday.

Abagnale managed to elude biologists for weeks, despite appearing dehydrated and underfed.

Boehm said the sea lion was final captured Sunday near Monterrey, Calif., after biologists were able to administer a sedative to the wild animal.

"He was on the run," Boehm said. "A lot of people were cheering for his rescue. We're very grateful it turned out OK."

Boehm told the Chronicle the sea lion has wounds to its neck and muzzle as a result of the fishing wire. The animal is expected to recover from those injuries.