CORONADO, Calif. (KGTV) - Happy birthday!
A sea lion gave birth around 5 a.m. Wednesday on a Coronado bike trail, as surprised riders began their day. The bike trail was closed while Coronado Police responded to contain the area around the two from nearby foot and vehicle traffic.
SeaWorld San Diego crews responded to relocate the pup and sea lion away from the area. The two are reportedly in good health.
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June is the beginning of pupping season, but San Diegans shouldn't expect to find sea lions giving birth around local beaches.
SeaWorld officials said sea lions usually give birth in the Channel Islands region running along Southern California's coast. However, an abundant food source could have drawn the sea lion to Coronado Wednesday.
If anyone comes across a sea lion and/or a pup, they are reminded not to interfere or harass the animals. It's a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to "take" any marine animal with a permit, meaning it's illegal to harass, feed, hunt, capture, collect, or kill them.
