Sea lion found wandering California highway returned to the ocean

Feb. 10 (UPI) -- A sea lion found wandering a California highway, miles from the nearest coastline, has been released back into the ocean, SeaWorld San Diego announced.

The sea lion first made headlines when it was found wandering the median of State Route 94 in San Diego on Jan. 7. Rescuers said the animal was more than 8 miles away from the ocean when it was captured by the SeaWorld San Diego Rescue Team.

SeaWorld partnered with veterinarians and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries for the sea lion's monthlong rehabilitation and the animal was released back into the ocean Wednesday.

"Everyone was in agreement that since he was in great shape and since he was exhibiting normal sea lion behavior the decision was made to return him," Eric Otjen, head of SeaWorld San Diego's Rescue Team, told The Hill. "It's pretty much the best part of the job."

The sea lion was given a flipper tag so it can be identified if rescuers encounter the same animal again in the future.