The female sea lion found at Escondida beach, in Osa, is under specialists’ supervision from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) and the National Animal Health Service (SENASA). They are evaluating the animal at the Pacific Marine Park in Puntarenas.
Carlos Mario Orrego, SINAC National Wildlife Coordinator, explained that these animals are coming to the country due to the South-North sea currents. He informed that these are migratory species that are in constant movement.
Gabriela Hernández, Executive Director of the Pacific Marine Park, said that they could stabilize it, as it seems to have some health affection, since it is undernourished, it has a small size and it weighs less than it should.
Doctors will conduct some blood tests and once they get the test results and it is determined that it is eating well, the sea lion will be released, because, according to Orrego, it can’t be kept in captivity.
Natalia Corrales, from the Marine Biology Station of Puntarenas, at the National University (UNA), explained that the animal seems to be from Galápagos, but they need to conduct more studies to determine its origin.
Experts recommended that the population informs authorities if another animal of this kind is found at the beach.